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UPSC Prelims 2012 · Agriculture · Seeds, Water and Fertiliser
Other than resistance to pests, what are the prospects for which genetically engineered plants have been created? Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
- To enable them to withstand drought
- To increase the nutritive value of the produce
- To enable them to grow and do photosynthesis in the spaceships and space stations
- To increase their shelf life
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- (b) 3 and 4 only
- (c) 1, 2 and 4 only
- (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: (c) 1, 2 and 4 only
Drought tolerance, nutrition and shelf life.
Statement by statement
1. ✓ YES Drought-tolerant GM crops exist (e.g. HB4 wheat).
2. ✓ YES Golden Rice adds vitamin A.
3. ✗ NO GM plants for spaceships were not an established goal.
4. ✓ YES The Flavr Savr tomato was engineered for longer shelf life.
Why the others are wrong
(a) Drops shelf life.
(b) Accepts space-station plants.
(d) Accepts space-station plants.
The trap
Statement 3 sounds futuristic and plausible.
🔒 GM traits: Bt (pests), HT (herbicides), Golden Rice (vit A), Flavr Savr (shelf life).
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