Q. With reference to the bacterium Wolbachia, which of the following statement(s) is/are correct?
1.They do not harm humans or animals.
2.Wolbachia is introduced into the Aedes mosquitoes through the process of genetic engineering.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
Answer: A
Notes:
Explanation –
Statement 1 is correct. Wolbachia is safe for humans and animals, as it cannot make people or animals sick. It naturally occurs in many insects but not in Aedes mosquitoes. Wolbachia can have a symbiotic relationship with its host, offering benefits like resistance to viral infections (mutualism) but also potentially harming the host by reducing its lifespan (parasitism). Wolbachia could help fruit flies resist viral infections.
Statement 2 is incorrect. Wolbachia is introduced into Aedes mosquitoes through a process called transinfection, which does not involve genetic engineering. The genetic material of the mosquito is not altered, and therefore, it is not considered genetic modification.
Source: The Hindu
