Prelims 2017 · Science and Technology · Question 28
What is the application of Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer Technology?
Answer
Reproductive cloning of animals
- (a) Production of biolarvicides: Biolarvicides are usually made from microbes like Bacillus thuringiensis or Bacillus sphaericus. Not an application of Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer (SCNT).
- (b) Manufacture of biodegradable plastics: Biodegradable plastics are produced using biopolymers or engineered microbes/plants. SCNT is not used for this purpose.
- (c) Reproductive cloning of animals: SCNT involves transferring the nucleus of a somatic cell into an enucleated egg to create a clone; this is the technique used in cloning animals like Dolly the sheep. Correct.
- (d) Production of organisms free of diseases: SCNT is not a standard technology for producing disease-free organisms; disease-free lines are usually developed through screening, tissue culture, or breeding methods. Incorrect.