UPSC Prelims 2026 Question: 

Which of the following statements with regard to genetic medicine is/are correct?

1. Genetic medicines correct/compensate for the faulty genes responsible for disease.

2. Engineered viruses and lipid nanoparticles are used as carriers of the genetic medicine.

3. Genetic medicines alter the entire DNA sequence. 

Select the answer using the code given below: 

Answer: 3

Explanation:  

Genetic medicines are designed to treat disease by correcting, replacing, silencing or compensating for faulty  genes or abnormal gene expression.  

• They may work by adding a functional gene, editing a defective gene, or using RNA-based approaches  to reduce harmful protein production. So, statement 1 is correct. 
• Engineered viral vectors and non-viral delivery systems such as lipid nanoparticles are commonly  used as carriers for genetic medicines. Viral vectors can deliver therapeutic genetic material into cells,  while lipid nanoparticles are widely used to deliver RNA-based therapies. So, statement 2 is correct. 
• Genetic medicines do not necessarily alter the entire DNA sequence. Many of them target only a  specific gene, mutation, RNA molecule or cellular pathway. Some gene therapies may not alter DNA  permanently at all, while gene-editing approaches make targeted changes rather than changing the whole  genome. So, statement 3 is not correct. 

Therefore, option (3) is the correct answer.