'Wolbachia method' is sometimes talked about with reference to which one of the following?

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UPSC Prelims is a competitive examination conducted in India. This question is from the 2023 UPSC Prelims Science & Technology paper.

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Question

'Wolbachia method' is sometimes talked about with reference to which one of the following?

Accepted Answer

Correct Answer: A — Controlling the viral diseases spread by mosquitoesStep-by-step Solution:Wolbachia are naturally occurring bacteria found in up to 60% of insect species, including some mosquitoes. However, they are not normally found in the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which is the primary vector responsible for transmitting dengue, Zika, chikungunya, and yellow fever to humans.When Wolbachia bacteria are introduced into Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, they can significantly reduce the mosquito's ability to transmit these viruses to people. Scientists have used two approaches: (1) Releasing Wolbachia-carrying mosquitoes to spread the bacteria through wild mosquito populations, gradually reducing disease transmission; (2) Releasing male Wolbachia-carrying mosquitoes — when they mate with wild females that lack Wolbachia, the eggs fail to hatch, thereby suppressing mosquito populations. Importantly, Wolbachia bacteria cannot make people or animals sick.Why other options are incorrect:Option B (Converting crop residues into packing material): This is unrelated to Wolbachia. It refers to agro-industrial biotechnology applications for waste management.Option C (Producing biodegradable plastics): Biodegradable plastics are produced through fermentation using microorganisms like certain bacteria and fungi — not Wolbachia.Option D (Producing biochar from thermochemical conversion of biomass): Biochar production is a thermochemical process (pyrolysis) completely unrelated to Wolbachia bacteria.Key Concept: The Wolbachia method is a biological vector control strategy. It is being actively researched and deployed in countries like Australia, Vietnam, Indonesia, and India (e.g., Andhra Pradesh) as an environmentally safer alternative to chemical insecticides for controlling dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases. The World Mosquito Program (WMP) is a leading organisation implementing Wolbachia-based interventions globally.

'Wolbachia method' is sometimes talked about with reference to which one of the following?

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'Wolbachia method' is sometimes talked about with reference to which one of the following?

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