Question

Nature has an inherent mechanism whereby harmful genes are eliminated from the population by causing the death of the bearer of such harmful genes. Modern medicine is able to save these individuals, thereby causing the accumulation of harmful genes. What is this phenomenon known as?

• A. Genetic evolution
• B. Genetic involution
• C. Genetic drift
• D. Genetic pollution

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

Genetic pollution

Genetic pollution is a controversial term for uncontrolled gene flow into wild populations. It is defined as “the dispersal of contaminated altered genes from genetically engineered organisms to natural organisms, esp. by cross-pollination”, but has come to be used in some broader ways. It is related to the population genetics concept of gene flow, and genetic rescue, which is genetic material intentionally introduced to increase the fitness of a population. It is called genetic pollution when it negatively impacts on the fitness of a population, such as through outbreeding depression and the introduction of unwanted phenotypes which can lead to extinction. Conservation biologists and conservationists have used the term to describe gene flow from domestic, feral, and non-native species into wild indigenous species, which they consider undesirable.

So the correct option is 'gene pollution'.