‘RNA interference (RNAi)’ technology has gained popularity in the last few years. Why?
- It is used in developing gene silencing therapies.
- It can be used in developing therapies for the treatment of cancer.
- It can be used to develop hormone replacement therapies.
- It can be used to produce crop plants that are resistant to viral pathogens.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
- 1, 2 and 4
- 2 and 3
- 1 and 3
- 1 and 4 only
Explanation
Statement 1 is correct
- RNA interference (RNAi) is a biological process through which small RNA molecules inhibit gene expression or translation by targeting specific messenger RNA (mRNA) molecules. This process is vital for regulating gene expression and defending against viral infections in various organisms. RNAi is a well-established method for silencing specific genes. This technology allows researchers to selectively turn off gene expression, making it useful for various therapeutic applications.
Statement 2 is correct
- RNAi technology holds promise for cancer treatment by targeting and silencing oncogenes or other genes involved in tumour growth. While still largely in research and development, RNAi is being explored in clinical trials for its potential in oncology.
Statement 3 is incorrect
- RNAi is not utilized in hormone replacement therapies. Hormone replacement focuses on providing hormones that the body lacks, which does not involve gene silencing mechanisms.
Statement 4 is correct
- RNAi technology can be effectively used in agriculture to engineer plants that can resist viral infections. By silencing viral genes, crops can be made more resilient against specific viral pathogens.
