Q20-5TYU. - Campbell Biology

Question

DNA technology has many medical applications. Which of the following is not done routinely at present?

(A) production of hormones for treating diabetes and

dwarfism

(B) analysis of gene expression for more informed cancer

treatments

(C) gene editing by the CRISPR-Cas9 system in viable human

embryos to correct genetic diseases

(D) prenatal identification of genetic disease alleles

 

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

 

(A) The statement “production of hormones for treating diabetes and dwarfism” is false.

(B) The statement “analysis of gene expression for more informed cancer treatments” is false.

(C) The statement “gene editing by the CRISPR-Cas9 system in viable human embryos to correct genetic diseases” is true.

(D)The statement “prenatal identification of genetic disease alleles” is false.

 

Step 1: Medical Applications of DNA technology

DNA technology is an important technique that gives many benefits in the pharmaceutical and medical industry. It is used to diagnose many diseases and treat them before or after the appearance of symptoms. It is also used in the development of vaccines against the disease. 

Gene therapy is also an important application of DNA technology.

Step 2: Explanation of option ‘(A)’

DNA technology can be used to produce therapeutic hormones like insulin that is used to treat diabetes, and human growth hormone that is used to treat dwarfism.

Thus, DNA technology is useful in the production of hormones.

Therefore, the given statement is false.

Step 3: Explanation of option ‘(B)’

DNA technology is not only a tool for the diagnosis of cancer but also for studying gene expression for treatments of cancer.

Thus, the study of gene expression can be done in DNA technology to treat diseases like cancer.

Therefore, the given statement is false.

Step 4: Explanation of option ‘(C)’

Through gene editing by the CRISPR-Cas9 system, faulty genes can be corrected so that enough quantities of enzymes can be produced that were not produced in sufficient amount to cause disease. Still, this approach is very unethical to correct the genes in human embryos.

Thus, gene editing by the CRISPR-Cas9 system is not an ethical application in human embryos.

Therefore, the given statement is true.

Step 5: Explanation of option ‘(D)’

Prenatal diagnosis of the disease is a very crucial part of DNA technology that can be treated, and the genes causing them can be corrected by using this technique.

Thus, prenatal identification of genetic disease alleles is a medical application of DNA technology.  

Therefore, the given statement is false.