Mechanisms and Inheritance of Mitochondrial Replacement Therapy
Question
In the context of hereditary diseases, consider the following statements:
- 1.
Passing on mitochondrial diseases from parent to child can be prevented by mitochondrial replacement therapy either before or after in vitro fertilization of egg.
- 2.
A child inherits mitochondrial diseases entirely from mother and not from father.
Options
1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2
Explanation
Both statements are correct. Mitochondrial replacement therapy (MRT) prevents the transmission of faulty mitochondrial DNA from mother to child using maternal spindle transfer (before IVF) or pronuclear transfer (after IVF). Since mitochondria are located in the cytoplasm of the egg, mitochondrial DNA is inherited strictly through the maternal line. > Because mitochondrial DNA is inherited strictly from the mother, mitochondrial replacement therapy effectively cuts off the transmission of these genetic disorders. Answer: (c).
Question details
Year
2021
Paper
GS Paper 1
Question
Q66
Subject
Science & Technology
Sub-topic
Biotechnology & Genetics
Type
Statement-based
Difficulty
Hard
Nature
Current-affairs-linked
Source hint
Three-parent baby technology / Genetics news
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