Genome editing is different from genome modification. Genome editing typically involves finding the part of a plant genome that could be changed to render it less vulnerable to disease, or resistant to certain herbicides, or to increase yields. Researchers use 'molecular scissors' to dissect the genome and repair it, Which is a process that occurs naturally when plants are under attack from diseases and can throw up new mutations that enable the plant to survive future attacks. This evolutionary process can effectively be speeded up now that it is possible to examine plant genomes in detail in laboratories, and create mechanisms through which the relevant genes can be altered very precisely. With reference to the above passage, the following assumptions have been made: Genome editing does not require the transfer of genes from one plant to another. Through genome editing, the chosen genes can be altered precisely in a manner akin to the natural process that helps plants to adapt to the environmental factors. Which of the above assumptions is/are valid?

Statement 1: "Genome editing does not require the transfer of genes from one plant to another." The passage describes genome editing as finding a part of a plant genome to change, using "molecular scissors" to dissect and repair *the* genome, and altering "the relevant genes very precisely." While this focuses on internal manipulation, the passage does not explicitly state or strongly imply that the repair mechanism *never* involves genetic material from another plant. Repair processes often require a template, and the passage is silent on the origin of this template. Therefore, we cannot definitively assume, based *solely* on this passage, that gene transfer is not required. Statement 2: "Through genome editing, the chosen genes can be altered precisely in a manner akin to the natural process that helps plants to adapt to the environmental factors." The passage explicitly states: "Researchers use 'molecular scissors' to dissect the genome and repair it, Which is a process that occurs naturally when plants are under attack from diseases and can throw up new mutations that enable the plant to survive future attacks." It further adds that this "evolutionary process can effectively be speeded up now that it is possible... to create mechanisms through which the relevant genes can be altered very precisely." This directly supports the idea that genome editing is akin to the natural adaptive process and allows for precise alteration of genes. Conclusion: Statement 1 cannot be validated from the passage, as the passage is silent on the requirement of gene transfer for the repair process. Statement 2 is directly supported by multiple phrases in the passage. The final answer is B