In the context of hereditary diseases, consider the following statements:Passing on mitochondrial di

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UPSC Prelims is a competitive examination conducted in India. This question is from the 2021 UPSC Prelims Science & Technology paper.

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Question

In the context of hereditary diseases, consider the following statements:Passing on mitochondrial diseases from parent to child can be prevented by mitochondrial replacement therapy either before or after in vitro fertilization of egg.A child inherits mitochondrial diseases entirely from mother and not from father.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

Correct Answer: C — Both 1 and 2Step-by-step Solution:Statement 1: Correct. Mitochondrial replacement therapy (MRT) involves replacing defective mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) from a mother's egg with healthy mtDNA from a donor. This can be done prior to fertilisation (spindle transfer) or after fertilisation (pronuclear transfer). ✓Statement 2: Correct. In humans, mitochondrial DNA is inherited exclusively from the mother (maternal inheritance). The father's mitochondria are typically degraded after fertilisation. Thus, mitochondrial diseases are transmitted from mother to all children (both sons and daughters). ✓Why other options are incorrect:Option A (1 only): Statement 2 is also correct.Option B (2 only): Statement 1 is also correct.Option D (Neither): Both are correct.Key Concept: MRT produces a "three-parent baby" (nuclear DNA from father and mother, mtDNA from donor). The UK was the first country to legalise MRT (2015). India allows IVF but specific regulations on MRT are evolving. Mitochondrial diseases include MELAS, Leigh syndrome, and LHON.

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