Which of the given statements pertaining to the application of genetic engineering are correct?
A. Bt toxin genes were isolated from Bacillus thuringiensis and incorporated into the cotton plants.
B. Human protein, α-1-antipepsin is used to treat emphysema.
C. The first clinical gene therapy was given to a 4-year old girl with adenosine deaminase (ADA) deficiency.
D. The first transgenic cow-Dolly, produced human protein-enriched milk.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → A and C only
(A) Bt toxin genes were isolated from Bacillus thuringiensis and incorporated into the cotton plants. — Correct. The cry genes of this bacterium code for the Bt toxin, which kills certain insect pests. Plants that carry these genes, such as Bt cotton, resist the pests.
(B) Human protein, α-1-antipepsin is used to treat emphysema. — Incorrect. No protein called α-1-antipepsin is used for this. The protein used to treat emphysema is α-1-antitrypsin.
(C) The first clinical gene therapy was given to a 4-year old girl with adenosine deaminase (ADA) deficiency. — Correct. This was done in 1990. ADA deficiency weakens the immune system, because the enzyme adenosine deaminase is missing. In gene therapy a healthy gene is put into the patient to correct the defect.
(D) The first transgenic cow-Dolly, produced human protein-enriched milk. — Incorrect. Dolly was a cloned sheep, not a transgenic cow. The first transgenic cow was Rosie. Her milk was rich in a human protein, alpha-lactalbumin.