Question

Fearing that the child to be born may have a genetic disorder, a couple goes to a doctor. Which one of the following techniques is likely to be suggested by the doctor to cure the genetic disorder?
a) Hybridoma technology
b) Gene therapy
c) rDNA technology
d) Embryo transfer

Answer 1

Hint: Genetic disorders are the inherited diseases that occur due to abnormality of genetic coding or sudden mutations in DNA. Such a disorder is mostly permanent or very hard to be cured by ordinary medical treatment.

Complete answer:
Scientists have developed many methods to detect and cure these genetic disorders.
Hybridoma technology is used to cure the genetic disorder. This technique invokes production of specific antibodies (concerned with the disorder) in the patient's body that eventually helps in curing the disorder. Since this technique is for curing the disorder and not for avoiding, so cannot be suggested by the doctor. Therefore, option A is incorrect.
Gene therapy is a method which is specifically concerned with treatment of abnormal genes and thus avoiding the genetic disorder. In this technique, a normal gene is introduced in the body that eventually replaces the abnormal or faulty gene and starts functioning normally. As this method can be used to avoid any genetic disorder, so can be suggested by the doctor. Therefore, option B is the correct option.
rDNA stands for Recombinant DNA technology. This technique is concerned with altering and designing of DNA in order to produce organisms of desired qualities. This method is generally used in plants and animals and not humans. Therefore, it cannot be suggested by the doctor. Thus, option C is incorrect.
Embryo transfer is a technique that involves transfer of embryos from one womb to another. Such an approach is employed in cases where the uterus is not suitable to carry the foetus. This method is not concerned with any genetic treatment. Thus, cannot be suggested by the doctor. Therefore, option D is incorrect.

So, the correct answer is option B that is Gene therapy.

Note:
Genetic disorders are permanent disorders as they infect the genetic coding which is a building block of characteristics for any individual. Therefore, it requires a method that can correct this genetic coding which is best possible with Gene therapy technique only.