Question

Assertion : Superbug has been biopatented in the name of Prof. A. Chakraborty.
Reason : Superbug was created by him with exceptional degradative plasmid to degrade toxic substances.
A) Both assertion and reason are correct, and reason is the correct explanation for assertion.
B) Both assertion and reason are correct, and reason is not the correct explanation for assertion.
C) Assertion is correct but the reason is incorrect.
D) Assertion is incorrect but the reason is correct.

Answer 1

Hint: Superbugs are considered to be strains of bacteria, viruses, parasites and fungi which are resistant to most of the antibiotics and other medications which are commonly used to treat the infections they cause. Few examples of superbugs are resistant bacteria which cause pneumonia, urinary tract infections and also skin infections.

Complete answer:
Prof. Chakrabarty got recognized for development of a genetically engineered Pseudomonas, which is an “an oil eating bacteria” also known as “superbug” while he was working at General Electric Research and Development Center.

He invented a method of genetic cross-linking in order to transfer genes that was required for degradation of oil using plasmid transfer technique and as a result it produced a new stable bacterial species. He called it a “multi-plasmid hydrocarbon-degrading Pseudomonas” which can digest two thirds of hydrocarbons found in typical oil spills and that too faster than previously existing strains of oil-eating microbes.

Later, he applied for a patent which was the first ever on any living entity. But, it was initially denied. Prof. Chakrabarty argued that a living being must not always be naturally occurring, the bacteria Pseudomonas that he discovered was genetically engineered and hence can be claimed for filing a patent. After nine years of struggle, he finally received his much deserving fame.

Therefore, the correct answer is option A which states that 'Both Assertion and Reason are correct and Reason is the correct explanation for Assertion.'

Note: Anand Mohan Chakrabarty was a distinguished Indian-born American microbiologist and also a scientist who became famous for his notable contribution in the field of genetic engineering. He has inspired millions of researchers with his extraordinary work, to experiment with microbial genes to utilize them in various fields, thereby bringing in new dimensions to biotechnological aspects of microorganisms.