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Q75 (IAS/2021) Science & Technology › Biotechnology & Health › Vaccines and immunization Official Key

With reference to recent developments regarding 'Recombinant Vector Vaccines', consider the following statements : 1. Genetic engineering is applied in the development of these vaccines. 2. Bacteria and viruses are used as vectors. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Result
Your answer: —  Âˇ  Correct: C
Explanation

The correct answer is Option 3 (Both 1 and 2) because recombinant vector vaccines leverage advanced biotechnology to induce immunity.

Statement 1 is correct: Genetic engineering is fundamental to these vaccines. Scientists identify a specific gene from a pathogen (like the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2) and insert it into the genome of a harmless carrier or "vector." This process requires precise molecular cloning and gene splicing techniques to ensure the vector expresses the desired antigen without causing disease.

Statement 2 is correct: Both bacteria and viruses are utilized as vectors. While viral vectors (like Adenovirus used in the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine) are more common, bacterial vectors (such as attenuated Salmonella or Listeria) are also engineered to deliver protective antigens or even for cancer immunotherapy. These vectors act as delivery vehicles that mimic a natural infection, triggering a robust immune response. Thus, both statements accurately describe the technology.

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Q. With reference to recent developments regarding 'Recombinant Vector Vaccines', consider the following statements : 1. Genetic engineerin…
At a glance
Origin: Mostly Current Affairs Fairness: Low / Borderline fairness Books / CA: 0/10 ¡ 10/10
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This question is a direct derivative of the COVID-19 vaccine discourse (Covishield/Sputnik V). It tests the scientific definition behind the news headlines. If you knew 'Recombinant' implies genetic engineering and 'Vector' implies a carrier, this was a definition-based sitter.

How this question is built

This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.

Statement 1
Is genetic engineering used in the development of recombinant vector vaccines
Origin: Web / Current Affairs Fairness: CA heavy Web-answerable

Web source
Presence: 5/5
"Its high efficiency, specificity, versatility, and low cost have also provided great inspiration and hope in the field of vaccinology to solve a series of bottleneck problems in the development of recombinant viral vaccines."
Why this source?
  • States that CRISPR editing has been applied to viral genomes and is relevant to vaccinology.
  • Explicitly links CRISPR editing to solving bottleneck problems in the development of recombinant viral vaccines.
Web source
Presence: 5/5
"of CRISPR-Cas9 technology on the development of recombinant viral vaccines and vectors."
Why this source?
  • Directly discusses the impact of CRISPR-Cas9 technology on the development of recombinant viral vaccines and vectors.
  • Contrasts CRISPR with classical genomic approaches, implying genetic engineering methods are used to generate recombinant vaccines.
Web source
Presence: 4/5
"new promising vaccine platforms have emerged that are supported by advances in genetic engineering, molecular and cellular"
Why this source?
  • States that new vaccine platforms are supported by advances in genetic engineering.
  • Links genetic engineering advances to the emergence of promising vaccine platforms, implying use in vaccine development.

Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 9: Agriculture > GENETICALLY MODIFIED (GM) CROPS > p. 301
Strength: 5/5
“• According to WHO, Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) are the plants, animals or microorganisms in which the hereditary material (DNA) is altered in a manner that does not happen normally by mating or potentially regular recombination. It is also known as modern biotechnology/gene technology.• When genetic modification of a plant is performed, foreign gene (transgene) or gene of some other organism is artificially inserted into the plant's own genes. This is gene modification.”
Why relevant

Gives a clear definition of genetic modification as altering hereditary material (DNA) by inserting foreign genes; establishes what 'genetic engineering' means.

How to extend

A student could combine this with the basic fact that recombinant vector vaccines carry foreign antigen genes to infer such vaccines would require altering DNA of a carrier.

Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 11: Agriculture - Part II > 11.8 Genetically Modified (GM) Crops > p. 342
Strength: 5/5
“GM crops are plants whose DNA (a molecule that encodes the Genetic Information) has been modified using Genetic Engineering. The following are some benefits of GM crops: • More nutritional value• Resistance to bacteria, virus and other components that can damage the plant• Longer shelf life• Less costly GM foods and higher yields The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) is the apex body for regulating GM crops, in the Ministry of Environment and Forest under the Environment Protections Act 1986. At present, the government allows commercial production of only one GM crop which is BT cotton and is allowed since 2002.”
Why relevant

States GM organisms are created by modifying DNA using genetic engineering—shows the general technique used to create organisms with new traits.

How to extend

One could extend this rule to reason that producing a vaccine vector that expresses a pathogen protein would likewise involve modifying a vector's DNA.

Science ,Class VIII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 3: Health: The Ultimate Treasure > Ability of the body to fight diseases > p. 37
Strength: 4/5
“Vaccines can be made in different ways—from weakened or dead pathogens (like viruses or bacteria), or from inactive or harmless parts of the pathogen. Some newer vaccines instruct our own body cells”
Why relevant

Explains vaccines can be made from different methods and mentions 'some newer vaccines instruct our own body cells', implying molecular/novel approaches beyond whole-pathogen vaccines.

How to extend

A student could link 'newer vaccines instruct cells' to recombinant/genetic approaches (e.g., vectors or nucleic-acid-based) as plausible methods requiring genetic manipulation.

Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 21: Sustainable Development and Climate Change > BY MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY > p. 618
Strength: 4/5
“Economic Measures related to COVID-19 Pandemic for developing diagnostics, vaccines, novel therapeutics, repurposing of drugs and other related interventions for control of COVID-19. • Partnerships for Accelerating Clinical Trials (PACT) was launched to support the development of COVID-19 vaccine. The initiative is being implemented by Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) and Clinical Development Services Agency (CDSA) under the National Biopharma Mission and Ind-CEPI Mission of DBT. • Mission COVID Suraksha was announced by the Department of Bio-Technology to support a. development of a safe and affordable vaccine for COVID-19.”
Why relevant

Describes government-supported initiatives to develop diagnostics, vaccines and novel therapeutics using biotechnology, indicating vaccines are an active target of modern biotech efforts.

How to extend

Combine this with the definition of genetic engineering to suspect that biotech-driven vaccine development includes genetically engineered recombinant approaches.

Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 12: Major Crops and Cropping Patterns in India > Biotic: Living > p. 111
Strength: 5/5
“Genetic control: Te genetic control of pests involving releasing sterilised pests into the afected area. When these pests made with the female of their species, there are no ofspring, leading to a decline in the number of such pests. Genetic engineering: Te process of artifcially removing specifc genes from one organism and replacing them with genetic information from another. Geography: Te science that studies the interdependence among geographic areas, natural systems, processes, society, and cultural activities over space – a spatial science. Te fve themes of geographic education include: location, place, movement, regions, and human–Earth relationships. Geologic cycle: A general term characterising the vast cycling (hydrology, tectonic and rock) in and on the lithosphere.”
Why relevant

Defines 'genetic engineering' as removing and replacing specific genes with genetic information from another organism—an explicit description of recombinant techniques.

How to extend

A student could apply that definition to the concept of a recombinant vector (a carrier altered to include foreign genes) to judge whether genetic engineering is involved.

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Statement analysis

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IAS ¡ 2020 ¡ Q54 Relevance score: -1.64

Consider the following statements : 1. Genetic changes can be introduced in the cells that produce eggs or sperms of a prospective parent. 2. A person's genome can be edited before birth at the early embryonic stage. 3. Human induced pluripotent stem cells can be injected into the embryo of a pig. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

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