Consider the following statements:

Statement-I: CRISPR technology allows scientists to create entirely new genes that do not exist in nature.

Statement-II: CRISPR is a gene-editing tool that enables precise modifications in an organism’s DNA by targeting specific genetic sequences.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

Question

Question

Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I.
Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I.
Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect.
Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct.

Answer 1

The correct answer is option 4.

In News

Scientists have successfully edited multiple genes in mice embryos using CRISPR to create mice with long, thick, woolly hair, resembling traits of the extinct woolly mammoth. This development marks a major step in the use of gene-editing for conservation biology.

Key Points

CRISPR does not create entirely new genes from scratch but instead modifies existing genetic sequences by inserting, deleting, or altering specific DNA segments. Hence, Statement-I is incorrect.
CRISPR is a precise gene-editing tool that allows scientists to make targeted modifications to an organism’s DNA by recognizing specific sequences and cutting them with enzymes like Cas9. Hence, Statement-II is correct.

Additional Information

CRISPR has been used in gene therapy, disease resistance in crops, and studying genetic disorders.
It is widely used in biomedical research, agriculture, and synthetic biology.
Base editing and prime editing are advanced forms of CRISPR that allow more precise genetic modifications.