With reference to Sickle Cell Disease (SCD), which of the following statements are correct? 1. Autoimmune disorder is the primary cause of Sickle Cell Disease (SCD). 2. India ranks third in SCD births globally. 3. Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) mainly affects the white blood cells. 4. Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) technology can be used for treating SCD. Select the correct answer using the codes given below: |ForumIAS

Q. With reference to Sickle Cell Disease (SCD), which of the following statements are correct?
1.Autoimmune disorder is the primary cause of Sickle Cell Disease (SCD).
2.India ranks third in SCD births globally.
3.Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) mainly affects the white blood cells.
4.Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) technology can be used for treating SCD.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

[A] 1, 2 and 3 only

[B] 2 and 4 only

[C] 2, 3 and 4 only

[D] 1 and 4 only

Answer: B

Notes:

Explanation –

Statements 2 and 4 are correct. India ranks third in SCD births globally, after Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. CRISPR technology, a powerful gene-editing tool, has shown promise in treating genetic disorders like SCD. Research has demonstrated that CRISPR can potentially be used to correct the genetic mutation responsible for SCD, offering a potential cure for the disease.

Statemensts 1 and 3 are incorrect. SCD is not an autoimmune disorder but a genetic blood disorder caused by an abnormal form of hemoglobin, called hemoglobin S. It causes red blood cells to change shape, becoming crescent-shaped or sickle-shaped, which can cause blockages in blood flow and result in various health problems. SCD primarily affects red blood cells (erythrocytes) that contain the abnormal hemoglobin S.

Source: The Hindu

Post-Mains Strategy Session by Mr. Ayush Sinha | ForumIAS