UPSC Prelims 2020·GS1·science-and-technology·ipr and biotechnology

In the context of recent advances in human reproductive technology, "Pronuclear Transfer" is used for

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Last updated 23 May 2026, 3:31 pm IST
  1. Afertilization of egg in vitro by the donor sperm
  2. Bgenetic modification of sperm producing cells
  3. Cdevelopment of stem cells into functional embryos
  4. Dprevention of mitochondrial diseases in offspringCorrect

Explanation

Pronuclear Transfer is an advanced assisted reproductive technology primarily developed and researched for the prevention of mitochondrial diseases. Mitochondrial diseases are genetic disorders caused by mutations in the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), which is inherited exclusively from the mother. In pronuclear transfer, the nuclear DNA (containing the vast majority of the genetic information) from a fertilized egg of a mother affected by or at risk of transmitting a mitochondrial disease is transferred into a donated egg that has had its own nuclear DNA removed but retains healthy mitochondria. This new egg is then fertilized, resulting in an embryo with the intended parents' nuclear DNA but healthy donor mitochondria, thereby preventing the transmission of the mitochondrial disease to the offspring. This technique is often referred to as 'three-parent baby' technology in common parlance due to the genetic contribution from three individuals (mother's nuclear DNA, father's nuclear DNA, and donor's mitochondrial DNA).
science-and-technology: In the context of recent advances in human reproductive technology, "Pronuclear Transfer" is used for
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