UPSC Prelims PYQ 1999: Bt gene and insect‑resistant transgenic cotton (Assertion‑Reason)

Consider the following statements:

1. Assertion (A): Insect resistant transgenic cotton has been produced by inserting Bt gene.
2. Reason (R): The Bt gene is derived from a bacterium.

Options:

1. Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A
2. Both A and R are true, but R is not a correct explanation of A
3. A is true, but R is false
4. A is false, but R is true

Explanation

Option (a) is correct

• Insect-resistant Bt cotton is produced by inserting the Bt gene into cotton plants. The Bt gene is derived from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis, which produces toxins harmful to certain insect pests. Hence, both the Assertion and the Reason are true, and the Reason correctly explains the Assertion.

Answer: (a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A