Part 6 – Biosafety Issues in Biotechnology: Risks, Ethical Concerns, GM Crop Regulation

Q1.

Which of the following best defines biosafety in biotechnology?
a) Preventing overuse of fertilizers
b) Ensuring safe handling of GM organisms
c) Using pesticides in agriculture
d) Developing hybrid crops

Answer: b) Ensuring safe handling of GM organisms

Explanation:

(a) Incorrect → Fertilizers are different issue.
(b) Correct → Biosafety = safety measures for GMOs.
(c) Incorrect → Pesticides not biosafety.
(d) Incorrect → Hybridization not biosafety.

Q2.

The main concern with genetically modified organisms (GMOs) is:
a) Low productivity
b) Potential ecological risks
c) High fertilizer demand
d) Long maturation period

Answer: b) Potential ecological risks

Explanation:

(a) Incorrect → GMOs often increase productivity.
(b) Correct → Risks include gene flow, biodiversity loss, insect resistance.
(c) Incorrect → Fertilizer demand not changed.
(d) Incorrect → Maturation not main issue.

Q3.

Which government body in India regulates the approval of GM crops?
a) ICAR
b) ICMR
c) GEAC (Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee)
d) DBT

Answer: c) GEAC (Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee)

Explanation:

(a) ICAR → Agriculture research, not regulatory.
(b) ICMR → Medical research.
(c) Correct → GEAC regulates GM crops.
(d) DBT → Supports biotechnology, not regulator.

Q4.

Labeling of GM foods is important to ensure:
a) Farmers get subsidies
b) Consumers have informed choice
c) Scientists earn patents
d) Fertilizer use is reduced

Answer: b) Consumers have informed choice

Explanation:

(a) Subsidies → Not labeling purpose.
(b) Correct → Transparency allows consumers to choose.
(c) Patents → Legal, not labeling.
(d) Fertilizer → Not related.

Q5.

Which of the following is a biosafety concern of Bt crops?
a) Resistance development in insects
b) Allergy in humans
c) Effect on non-target species
d) All of the above

Answer: d) All of the above

Explanation:

(a) True → Bollworms may develop resistance.
(b) True → Potential allergenicity risk.
(c) True → Non-target insects may be harmed.
(d) Correct → All concerns apply.

Q6.

What is the principle of the “refugia strategy” in Bt crop biosafety?
a) Destroying all insects with pesticides
b) Growing some non-Bt plants to delay resistance
c) Using multiple Cry genes in one plant
d) Using herbicides with Bt plants

Answer: b) Growing some non-Bt plants to delay resistance

Explanation:

(a) Incorrect → Excess pesticides not strategy.
(b) Correct → Refugia prevent resistant insect population buildup.
(c) Incorrect → Gene stacking is different.
(d) Incorrect → Not related.

Q7.

Which of the following is an ethical issue in biotechnology?
a) Animal welfare in transgenics
b) Patenting of life forms
c) Biopiracy of indigenous knowledge
d) All of the above

Answer: d) All of the above

Explanation:

(a) True → Animal suffering is concern.
(b) True → Patenting living organisms debated.
(c) True → Biopiracy is unethical exploitation.
(d) Correct → All are ethical issues.

Q8.

What is a possible risk of herbicide-tolerant crops?
a) Uncontrolled weed growth
b) Development of “superweeds”
c) Reduced water use
d) Higher vitamin content

Answer: b) Development of “superweeds”

Explanation:

(a) Incorrect → Crops still control weeds.
(b) Correct → Weeds may evolve herbicide resistance.
(c) Incorrect → Water use unaffected.
(d) Incorrect → Vitamin not related.

Q9.

Which international agreement regulates safe use of genetically modified organisms?
a) Kyoto Protocol
b) Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety
c) Paris Agreement
d) Montreal Protocol

Answer: b) Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety

Explanation:

(a) Kyoto → Climate change.
(b) Correct → Cartagena Protocol (2003) deals with GMO safety.
(c) Paris → Climate change.
(d) Montreal → Ozone layer protection.

Q10.

Which of the following is NOT a biosafety concern?
a) Spread of antibiotic resistance genes
b) Pesticide resistance in pests
c) Reduced chemical pesticide use
d) Impact on biodiversity

Answer: c) Reduced chemical pesticide use

Explanation:

(a) True → Marker genes may spread resistance.
(b) True → Insects may become resistant.
(c) Correct → Reduced pesticide use is a benefit, not a concern.
(d) True → Biodiversity may be affected.

Q11.

What is the primary biosafety concern of using antibiotic resistance marker genes in GM crops?
a) Human vitamin deficiency
b) Transfer of resistance to pathogenic microbes
c) Reduced protein content in crops
d) Crop yield loss

Answer: b) Transfer of resistance to pathogenic microbes

Explanation:

(a) Incorrect → Not vitamin related.
(b) Correct → May create antibiotic-resistant pathogens.
(c) Incorrect → Protein unaffected.
(d) Incorrect → Yield not reduced.

Q12.

Which term refers to the deliberate release of GMOs into the environment for agriculture?
a) Contained use
b) Field trial
c) Greenhouse study
d) Biosafety hazard

Answer: b) Field trial

Explanation:

(a) Contained → In labs only.
(b) Correct → Field trials test GM crops in open fields.
(c) Greenhouse → Controlled, not open environment.
(d) Hazard → General term, not technical.

Q13.

Public concern against GM crops often arises due to:
a) Lack of long-term safety studies
b) Ethical concerns about “tampering with nature”
c) Corporate control over seeds
d) All of the above

Answer: d) All of the above

Explanation:

(a) True → Long-term safety unclear.
(b) True → Ethical concerns raised.
(c) True → Seed monopoly concerns.
(d) Correct → All factors contribute.

Q14.

The biosafety level required for handling highly dangerous pathogens like Ebola is:
a) BSL-1
b) BSL-2
c) BSL-3
d) BSL-4

Answer: d) BSL-4

Explanation:

(a) BSL-1 → For non-pathogenic microbes.
(b) BSL-2 → For moderate pathogens.
(c) BSL-3 → For serious pathogens.
(d) Correct → BSL-4 for highly lethal pathogens (e.g., Ebola).

Q15.

In India, field trials of GM crops require approval from:
a) ICAR only
b) DBT only
c) GEAC
d) WHO

Answer: c) GEAC

Explanation:

(a) ICAR → Research, not regulator.
(b) DBT → Policy support, not approval.
(c) Correct → GEAC authorizes trials.
(d) WHO → Not national regulator.

Q16.

Which of the following is a benefit of strict biosafety regulations?
a) Prevents genetic erosion
b) Ensures safe use of biotechnology
c) Builds public trust
d) All of the above

Answer: d) All of the above

Explanation:

(a) True → Prevents biodiversity loss.
(b) True → Ensures controlled use.
(c) True → Builds confidence.
(d) Correct → All apply.

Q17.

Which biosafety issue is related to “terminator seeds”?
a) Threat to farmers’ seed-saving rights
b) Spread of antibiotic resistance
c) Increased pesticide use
d) Reduction of crop yield

Answer: a) Threat to farmers’ seed-saving rights

Explanation:

(a) Correct → Terminator technology prevents re-use of seeds.
(b) Incorrect → Not antibiotic related.
(c) Incorrect → Not pesticide-related.
(d) Incorrect → Yield unaffected directly.

Q18.

Why are buffer zones important in GM crop cultivation?
a) Prevent cross-pollination with non-GM crops
b) Increase fertilizer absorption
c) Enhance water conservation
d) Improve shelf life of crops

Answer: a) Prevent cross-pollination with non-GM crops

Explanation:

(a) Correct → Buffer zones reduce gene flow.
(b) Incorrect → Fertilizers not relevant.
(c) Incorrect → Not water-related.
(d) Incorrect → Shelf life unrelated.

Q19.

Which Indian committee first recommended approval of Bt cotton?
a) ICAR
b) GEAC
c) RCGM (Review Committee on Genetic Manipulation)
d) DBT

Answer: c) RCGM

Explanation:

(a) ICAR → Research, not approval.
(b) GEAC → Final approval authority.
(c) Correct → RCGM first reviewed and recommended.
(d) DBT → Supports policy, not direct approval.

Q20.

Which of the following is NOT an ethical concern in biotechnology?
a) Animal suffering in experiments
b) Biopiracy of indigenous knowledge
c) Development of new antibiotics
d) Patenting of genes

Answer: c) Development of new antibiotics

Explanation:

(a) True → Animal ethics debated.
(b) True → Biopiracy is unethical.
(c) Correct → Development of antibiotics is positive, not ethical issue.
(d) True → Patenting life controversial.

Q21.

“Precautionary principle” in biosafety means:
a) Approving GM crops without testing
b) Delaying action until 100% proof of harm
c) Taking preventive action even with scientific uncertainty
d) Allowing free use of all biotechnologies

Answer: c) Taking preventive action even with scientific uncertainty

Explanation:

(a) Incorrect → Opposite of precaution.
(b) Incorrect → Requires early action, not waiting.
(c) Correct → Precautionary principle = act early.
(d) Incorrect → Not free use.

Q22.

Which is the main objective of biosafety levels (BSL) classification?
a) Standardize lab safety for handling pathogens
b) Increase crop yields
c) Reduce seed costs
d) Improve animal breeding

Answer: a) Standardize lab safety for handling pathogens

Explanation:

(a) Correct → BSL ensures safe pathogen handling.
(b) Incorrect → Crop yield unrelated.
(c) Incorrect → Seed costs unrelated.
(d) Incorrect → Breeding unrelated.

Q23.

Which of the following is an example of environmental biosafety concern with GM crops?
a) Gene flow to wild relatives
b) Allergic reactions in humans
c) Antibiotic resistance in microbes
d) Increased pesticide cost

Answer: a) Gene flow to wild relatives

Explanation:

(a) Correct → Environmental issue.
(b) Incorrect → Health issue.
(c) Incorrect → Microbial issue.
(d) Incorrect → Not biosafety issue.

Q24.

Which international organization oversees biosafety issues globally?
a) WHO
b) FAO
c) UNEP
d) All of the above

Answer: d) All of the above

Explanation:

(a) WHO → Human health.
(b) FAO → Food/agriculture.
(c) UNEP → Environment.
(d) Correct → All coordinate biosafety issues.

Q25.

Which of the following is the MOST important goal of biosafety guidelines?
a) Protect environment and human health
b) Increase crop yield
c) Improve farmer income
d) Reduce cost of GM seeds

Answer: a) Protect environment and human health

Explanation:

(a) Correct → Core objective of biosafety.
(b) Incorrect → Yield is agronomic, not biosafety goal.
(c) Incorrect → Farmer income not direct.
(d) Incorrect → Cost of seeds not biosafety concern.

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Part 6 – Biosafety Issues in Biotechnology: Risks, Ethical Concerns, GM Crop Regulation