Consider the following statements regarding Mitochondrial Replacement Therapy (MRT):
1. It is used to prevent the inheritance of mitochondrial diseases.
2. The nuclear DNA of the child comes from both biological parents, while the mitochondrial DNA comes from a donor.
3. This technique alters the child’s nuclear genome, which can affect traits such as height and intelligence.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Question

Consider the following statements regarding Mitochondrial Replacement Therapy (MRT):
1. It is used to prevent the inheritance of mitochondrial diseases.
2. The nuclear DNA of the child comes from both biological parents, while the mitochondrial DNA comes from a donor.
3. This technique alters the child&rsquo;s nuclear genome, which can affect traits such as height and intelligence.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

ONLiNE UPSC · Accepted Answer

Statement 1 is correct: MRT is designed to prevent the transmission of mitochondrial diseases from mother to child. Mitochondrial diseases are inherited through the mitochondrial DNA, which is passed down maternally. MRT replaces faulty mitochondrial DNA with healthy mitochondrial DNA from a donor, thus reducing the risk of the child inheriting the disease.

Statement 2 is correct: In MRT, the nuclear DNA (which controls most traits, like height and intelligence) comes from the biological parents, while the mitochondrial DNA (which is responsible for energy production in the cell) comes from a donor. This ensures the child inherits nuclear DNA from both parents but has healthy mitochondrial DNA from the donor.

Statement 3 is not correct: MRT does not alter the nuclear genome, which is the genetic material responsible for traits such as height, intelligence, and other inherited characteristics. Only the mitochondrial DNA, which is separate from the nuclear DNA, is replaced in MRT. Therefore, the child&rsquo;s nuclear genome remains the same as that of the biological parents and is not affected by the mitochondrial DNA donor.

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Mitochondrial Replacement Therapy (MRT)

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M Question 1	⏱ 0
Consider the following statements regarding Mitochondrial Replacement Therapy (MRT): 1. It is used to prevent the inheritance of mitochondrial diseases. 2. The nuclear DNA of the child comes from both biological parents, while the mitochondrial DNA comes from a donor. 3. This technique alters the child’s nuclear genome, which can affect traits such as height and intelligence. Which of the above statements is/are correct? (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3