GMO Crops: Pros and Cons — NEET Biology
📚 Practice ConceptCompare and contrast the advantages and disadvantages of production of genetically modified crops.
Which of the following statements about genetically modified (GM) plants and related biotechnological applications are correct? S1: Genetically modified crops exhibit increased tolerance to abiotic stresses such as cold, drought, salt, and heat. S2: Development of pest-resistant plants, like Bt cotton, through genetic modification reduces the reliance on chemical pesticides. S3: Golden rice, an example of a GM plant, has been developed to enhance the nutritional value of food by providing enriched Vitamin 'A'. S4: One of the advantages of genetic modification is the universal reduction of transpiration rate in all modified plants, ensuring higher water use efficiency. S5: Genetic modification in plants is primarily achieved through protoplast fusion of two different species, leading to somatic hybrids.
View solution & NCERT explanation
Correct answer: C — S1, S2 and S3 only
The core concept here relates to the advantages and characteristics of genetically modified (GM) plants as described in NCERT Chapter 10. S1: This statement is correct. NCERT states, 'Genetic modification has: (i) made crops more tolerant to abiotic stresses (cold, drought, salt, heat).' This aligns directly with the description. S2: This statement is correct. NCERT mentions, 'Genetic modification has: (ii) reduced reliance on chemical pesticides (pest-resistant crops).' Bt cotton is provided as an example of a pest-resistant GM plant. S3: This statement is correct. NCERT explicitly states, 'Genetic modification has: (v) enhanced nutritional value of food, e.g., golden rice, i.e., Vitamin ‘A’ enriched rice.' S4: This statement is incorrect. While improved water use efficiency can be a goal, the NCERT does not mention 'universal reduction of transpiration rate in all modified plants' as a general advantage of genetic modification. This is an overgeneralization and not listed. S5: This statement is incorrect. Genetic modification in plants typically involves gene transfer using vectors like Agrobacterium tumefaciens. Protoplast fusion of different plant species leads to somatic hybrids and is a distinct tissue culture technique called somatic hybridisation, not the primary method of genetic modification which introduces specific genes. Therefore, only statements S1, S2, and S3 are correct. The tested concept revolves around the specific benefits and methods of genetically modified plants.
What does NCERT say about Compare and contrast advantages?
Has this concept appeared in NEET?
Which chapter is this from?
Through deep analysis of NEET and NTA, 176 of the 180 ReNEET 2026 (June 21) questions were already in the MedicNEET question bank before the exam.
176/180MedicNEET's Biology question bank is built from the same NCERT lines NTA picks repeatedly. Not random MCQs — questions crafted exactly like NTA crafts them.