Ans: B

Exp:

Surgeons perform the world’s first genetically modified pig kidney transplant into a living human at Massachusetts General Hospital.

Statement 1 is incorrect:  Xenotransplantation is any procedure that involves the transplantation, implantation, or infusion into a human recipient of either

• live cells, tissues, or organs from a nonhuman animal source, or
• human body fluids, cells, tissues, or organs that have had ex vivo (outside of the living body) contact with live non-human animal cells, tissues, or organs.
• Example-Modified Pig Heart (University of Maryland): Doctors used a genetically modified pig heart for a patient with no other options. 
• Autotransplantation is the transplantation of organs, tissues, or even particular proteins from one part of the body to another in the same person.

Statement 2 is correct: CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing technology has been a crucial technology for Xenotransplantation. 

• It allows precise modifications to the genetic material of pigs, addressing critical challenges in xenotransplantation.
• By using CRISPR, scientists have achieved high-efficiency gene edits in pigs, that have led to successful xenotransplants.

Reference: US surgeons have transplanted a pig kidney into a patient (indianexpress.com)

Ans: D

Exp:

The 41st Steering Committee Meeting of the International Partnership for Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in the Economy (IPHE), being hosted by India in New Delhi began its formal proceedings on March 19, 2024.

Statement 1 is incorrect: The formation of IPHE was facilitated by the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Department of Transportation (not UNCTAD) in 2003 to foster international cooperation on hydrogen and fuel cell R&D, common codes and standards, and information sharing on infrastructure development.

Statement 2 is incorrect: IPHE is an international governmental partnership currently consisting of 23 member countries and the European Commission.

• The IPHE currently consists Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Costa Rica, European Commission, France, Germany, Iceland, India, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Netherlands, Norway, Republic of South Africa, Singapore,Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and United States.
• Russia is not a member of IPHE.

Reference: https://www.iphe.net/

Ans: A

Exp:

Statement 1 is incorrect: Section 21(g)(i) of the Act essentially states that initially, the maximum age for a woman to avail ART services is set at 50 years or at the completion of menopause, whichever occurs earlier. However, the law does provide a bit of flexibility and allows exceptions.

• Women above 50 years of age may opt for IVF in India as long as they fulfil the stipulated medical and mental health criteria, despite the restrictions set by section 21(g)(i) of the Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Act, 2021. 

Statement 2 is correct: A child born through Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) will be deemed to be a biological child of the couple (commission couple) and will be entitled to the rights and privileges available to a natural child of the commissioning couple.

• A donor will not have any parental rights over the child. 

Reference: Sidhu Moose Wala’s parents welcome newborn amid exceptions under law to allow woman over 50 to opt for IVF in India – India Today

Ans: B

Exp:

The Supreme Court constituted an expert committee to balance the conservation of the Great Indian Bustard bird population with the country’s international commitments to promote renewable sources of energy.

Statement 1 is incorrect: Conservation status of Great Indian bustard:

• Listed in Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection)Act, 1972,
• Listed in Appendix I of CITES,
• Listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List.

Statement 2 is correct: GIB’s are endemic to the Indian subcontinent. Today, GIBs’ population is confined mostly to Rajasthan and Gujarat. 

• Small population occur in Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
• They are one of the heaviest-flying birds in the world and are considered as the flagship grassland species, representing the health of the grassland ecology.

Statement 3 is correct: The species has been identified for conservation efforts under the component ‘Species Recovery Programme’ of the Centrally Sponsored Scheme- Development of Wildlife Habitats. 

• Financial and technical assistance is provided to the State/ Union Territory Governments under the scheme for providing better protection to Great Indian Bustard and its habitat.

Ans: B

Exp:

• UNESCO established the World Water Assessment Programme (WWAP) in 2000 in response to a call from the UN Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) to produce a UN system-wide periodic global overview of the status, use and management of freshwater resources.
• WWAP coordinates the work of 31 UN-Water members and international partners, under the umbrella mechanism of UN-Water, in the production of the World Water.
• Since 2007, UNESCO WWAP has been funded by the Government of Italy.