With reference to the use of nanotechnology in the health sector, which of the following statements

Q: What is UPSC Prelims?

UPSC Prelims is a competitive examination conducted in India. This question is from the 2015 UPSC Prelims Science & Technology paper.

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Question

With reference to the use of nanotechnology in the health sector, which of the following statements is/are correct?Targeted drug delivery is made possible by nanotechnology.Nanotechnology can largely contribute to gene therapy.Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

Accepted Answer

Correct Answer: C — Both 1 and 2Step-by-step Solution:Statement 1 — Nanotechnology enables targeted drug delivery: This is correct. Targeted drug delivery using nanoparticles is one of the most promising applications of nanotechnology in medicine. Nanoparticles (typically 1-100 nm) can be engineered to: encapsulate drugs and protect them from premature degradation; evade the immune system; accumulate preferentially at disease sites (particularly tumours, through the Enhanced Permeability and Retention or EPR effect); release drugs in a controlled, sustained manner at the target site. This reduces systemic side effects, increases drug efficacy, and allows treatment of tumours while sparing healthy tissue — a revolutionary improvement over conventional chemotherapy. ✓Statement 2 — Nanotechnology contributes to gene therapy: This is correct. Gene therapy requires delivery of genetic material (DNA, RNA, siRNA, mRNA) into specific cells. Traditional viral vectors have limitations (immunogenicity, safety concerns). Nanotechnology provides non-viral alternatives through: lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) — the technology behind mRNA COVID-19 vaccines (Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna); polymeric nanoparticles; dendrimers; gold nanoparticles. These carriers protect the genetic payload, facilitate cellular uptake, and enable targeted delivery to specific tissues. LNPs are now a cornerstone of modern gene therapy and mRNA therapeutics. ✓Why other options are incorrect:Options A, B, and D each incorrectly exclude one or both valid statements. Both applications of nanotechnology in health are well-established and clinically advanced.Key Concept: Nanotechnology in medicine (Nanomedicine): Drug delivery — nanoparticles, liposomes, dendrimers; Diagnostics — gold nanoparticle-based rapid tests, MRI contrast agents; Imaging — quantum dots, iron oxide nanoparticles; Gene therapy — LNPs for mRNA delivery; Antimicrobials — silver nanoparticles; Cancer therapy — photothermal therapy (gold nanorods), photodynamic therapy; Theranostics — combined diagnosis + therapy. India's programmes: NANO SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY INITIATIVE (NSTI) under DST; Nano Mission launched 2007. Ethical concerns of nanotechnology: nanotoxicology, environmental release, regulation, privacy (nano-surveillance).

With reference to the use of nanotechnology in the health sector, which of the following statements is/are correct?Targeted drug delivery is made possible by nanotechnology.Nanotechnology can largely contribute to gene therapy.Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

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With reference to the use of nanotechnology in the health sector, which of the following statements is/are correct?Targeted drug delivery is made possible by nanotechnology.Nanotechnology can largely contribute to gene therapy.Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

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More Questions from Nanotechnology, Robotics & Emerging Technologies

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