Question

Which of the following statements is/are correct?
Statement I: GM plants are tolerant to abiotic stress
Statement II: GM plants have enhanced the nutritional value of food
Statement III: The products of GM plants are always carcinogenic

• A. Only statement II and III are correct
• B. Only statement I and III are correct
• C. Only statement I and II are correct
• D. All statements are correct

Answer 1

The correct option is C Only statement I and II are correct

Genetically modified plants are the ones which carry foreign DNA which improves their characteristics like they become more tolerant to abiotic stresses like cold, drought, heat etc.

GM plants have enhanced the nutritional value in food. A good example is vitamin A enriched rice also known as golden rice which carries ꞵ - carotene (vitamin A precursor). The objective of developing such crops is to increase circulation of Vitamin A levels in the blood to counteract Vitamin A deficiency, thereby boosting immunity in the body and reducing childhood blindness. This can be achieved simply by consumption of biofortified rice (rice enriched with nutrients).

Genetically modified plant products may or may not be carcinogenic or cancer causing, though these plants are specifically developed by scientists to carry favourable traits like disease resistance etc.