UPSC Prelims 2012·GS1·science-and-technology·ipr and biotechnology

With reference to 'stem cells', frequently in the news, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. Stem cells can be derived from mammals only. 2. Stem cells can be used for screening new drugs. 3. Stem cells can be used for medical therapies. Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

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Last updated 23 May 2026, 3:31 pm IST
  1. A1 and 2 only
  2. B2 and 3 onlyCorrect
  3. C3 only
  4. D1, 2 and 3

Explanation

The correct answer is B because of the following reasons: Statement 1 is incorrect because stem cells are not exclusive to mammals. They are found in all multicellular organisms, including plants and various non-mammalian animals like insects and amphibians. Statement 2 is correct because stem cells can be used to grow specific human tissues in a lab. This allows researchers to test the safety and effectiveness of new drugs on human cells before moving to clinical trials on people. Statement 3 is correct because stem cell therapy, also known as regenerative medicine, is used to repair or replace damaged tissues. Common examples include bone marrow transplants for leukemia and treatments for skin grafts or certain eye conditions. Since statement 1 is false and statements 2 and 3 are true, the correct code is 2 and 3 only.
science-and-technology: With reference to 'stem cells', frequently in the news, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. Stem cells

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