Question 82 from UPSC CSE 2017 - Science and
Technology

Question

What is the application of Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer Technology?

IASCODEX · Accepted Answer

Correct Option: C. Reproductive cloning of animals

Strategy: The phrase 'somatic cell nuclear transfer' directly associates with the technique of transferring the nucleus of a somatic cell into an enucleated egg cell. This is most notably the core technology behind reproductive cloning of animals, as seen in cases like Dolly the sheep. None of the other options align specifically with the process; biolarvicides, biodegradable plastics, and disease-free organisms do not require this nuclear transfer approach.

Key Info: **Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer (SCNT)**

SCNT is a laboratory technique for creating a viable embryo from a body (somatic) cell and an egg cell.

**The Process**
The process involves:
- Removing the nucleus from an egg cell.
- Replacing it with the nucleus from a somatic cell.
- Stimulating the reconstructed egg to divide and develop into an embryo.

The resulting embryo is genetically identical to the donor of the somatic nucleus.

**Applications**
SCNT underpins reproductive cloning, famously used to create Dolly the sheep in 1996. The technology is also significant in:
- Research on regenerative medicine.
- Therapeutic cloning.
- Animal cloning for agriculture or conservation.

**Non-Applications**
SCNT is not used for:
- Producing biolarvicides.
- Manufacturing biodegradable plastics.
- Directly producing disease-free organisms.

These applications employ other biotechnological approaches.

**Ethical Considerations**
SCNT remains a subject of ethical debate, particularly regarding the potential for human cloning.

IASCODEX · Answer

Option A: Production of biolarvicides

IASCODEX · Answer

Option B: Manufacture of biodegradable plastics

IASCODEX · Answer

Option D: Production of organisms free of diseases