Biosafety issues- Biopiracy and patents: NEET MCQs with Answers

15 free questions on Biosafety issues- Biopiracy and patents for NEET (UG), starting with previous-year NEET and AIPMT questions. Try each one, then tap Show answer for the answer and a short explanation.

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Question 1

Previous-year question
In India, the organisation responsible for assessing the safety of introducing genetically modified organisms for public use is [NEET 2018]
  1. Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)
  2. Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)
  3. Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC)
  4. Research Committee on Genetic Manipulation (RCGM)
Show answer
Answer: (C) Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC)
Explanation: GEAC is the apex regulatory body that appraises the safety of GM organisms before they can be released for public services in India.

Question 2

Previous-year question
The use of bioresources by multinational companies and organisations without authorisation from the concerned country and its people is called [NEET 2018]
  1. Bio-infringement
  2. Biopiracy
  3. Bioexploitation
  4. Biodegradation
Show answer
Answer: (B) Biopiracy
Explanation: Biopiracy is the unauthorised and uncompensated exploitation of a country's bioresources and traditional knowledge, as in the Basmati and turmeric patent cases.

Question 3

Previous-year question
Which body of the Government of India regulates GM research and the safety of introducing GM organisms for public services? [AIPMT 2015]
  1. Indian Council of Agricultural Research
  2. Genetic Engineering Approval Committee
  3. Research Committee on Genetic Manipulation
  4. Bio-safety committee
Show answer
Answer: (B) Genetic Engineering Approval Committee
Explanation: GEAC evaluates every proposal for GM research and for the environmental release of genetically modified organisms in India.

Question 4

Previous-year question
(NEET 2018) Patenting of Indian Basmati rice by a foreign company despite long Indian presence is related to:
  1. Co-667
  2. Sharbati Sonara
  3. Lerma Rojo
  4. Basmati
Show answer
Answer: (D) Basmati
Explanation: Basmati patent case is a famous biopiracy example.

Question 5

Previous-year question
(NEET 2018) In India, the organisation responsible for assessing safety of introducing GMOs for public use is:
  1. ICMR
  2. CSIR
  3. RCGM
  4. GEAC (Genetic Engineering Approval Committee)
Show answer
Answer: (D) GEAC (Genetic Engineering Approval Committee)
Explanation: GEAC regulates GMO release in India.

Question 6

Previous-year question
(NEET 2020 Covid) Laws to prevent unauthorised exploitation of bio-resources are termed:
  1. Bioethics
  2. Bioengineering
  3. Biopiracy
  4. Biopatenting
Show answer
Answer: (A) Bioethics
Explanation: Bioethics governs unauthorised biological resource use.

Question 7

Previous-year question
Exploration of molecular, genetic and species level diversity for novel products of economic importance is known as: (NEET UG 2019)
  1. Bioprospecting
  2. Biopiracy
  3. Bioenergetics
  4. Bioremediation
Show answer
Answer: (A) Bioprospecting
Explanation: Bioprospecting = systematic search of biodiversity for novel commercially valuable molecules, genes, species, or organisms (new drugs, enzymes, etc.).
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Question 8

Previous-year question
In India, the organisation responsible for assessing the safety of introducing genetically modified organisms for public use is: (NEET UG 2018)
  1. Research Committee on Genetic Manipulation (RCGM)
  2. Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)
  3. Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)
  4. Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC)
Show answer
Answer: (D) Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC)
Explanation: The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC), under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, is the apex Indian body for clearing GMOs for environmental release and public use.

Question 9

Previous-year question
Use of bioresources by multinational companies and organisations without authorisation from the concerned country and its people is called: (NEET UG 2018)
  1. Biodegradation
  2. Biopiracy
  3. Bio-infringement
  4. Bioexploitation
Show answer
Answer: (B) Biopiracy
Explanation: Biopiracy is the unauthorised commercial use of biological resources or traditional knowledge without consent or benefit-sharing with the country/community of origin.

Question 10

Statement I: Genetically modified organisms can have unpredictable results when introduced into an ecosystem. Statement II: Using living organisms as sources of food and medicine for the public has also created problems with patents granted for them. Choose the correct option.
  1. Both Statement I and Statement II are incorrect
  2. Statement I is incorrect but Statement II is correct
  3. Both Statement I and Statement II are correct
  4. Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect
Show answer
Answer: (C) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct
Explanation: Release of GM organisms into the ecosystem can have effects that cannot be predicted, which is one of the biological concerns behind regulation. The use of organisms for public services such as food and medicine has also led to disputes over patents granted on them.

Question 11

Read the statements. A. In 1997, an American company obtained patent rights on Basmati rice through the European Patent Office. B. India has an estimated 20,000 varieties of rice. C. Toxicity testing in transgenic animals gives results in less time. D. In 1983, Eli Lilly prepared DNA sequences for the A and B chains of human insulin and placed them in plasmids of E. coli. How many of these statements are incorrect?
  1. Three
  2. Four
  3. One
  4. Two
Show answer
Answer: (D) Two
Explanation: The Basmati patent was obtained through the US Patent and Trademark Office, and India has an estimated 2,00,000 rice varieties, so A and B are wrong. Toxicity testing in transgenic animals is faster, and Eli Lilly made insulin chains in E. coli in 1983, so C and D are right.

Question 12

Statement I: India alone is estimated to have about two lakh varieties of rice. Statement II: Manipulation of living organisms by humans needs regulation because it raises both moral and biological concerns. Choose the correct option.
  1. Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect
  2. Both Statement I and Statement II are incorrect
  3. Both Statement I and Statement II are correct
  4. Statement I is incorrect but Statement II is correct
Show answer
Answer: (C) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct
Explanation: An estimated 2,00,000 varieties of rice exist in India, making its rice diversity one of the richest in the world. Genetic manipulation needs ethical standards to judge its morality, and it can also have unpredictable biological effects once released, so regulation is needed.

Question 13

The Indian Parliament has cleared an amendment of the Indian Patents Bill that deals with patent terms, emergency provisions and research and development initiatives. Which amendment is this?
  1. Fourth amendment
  2. Third amendment
  3. First amendment
  4. Second amendment
Show answer
Answer: (D) Second amendment
Explanation: To deal with biopiracy and related concerns, the Indian Parliament has cleared the second amendment of the Indian Patents Bill. It takes into account patent terms, emergency provisions and research and development initiatives.

Question 14

Match List-I with List-II. List-I: A. GEAC, B. Biopiracy, C. Basmati rice, D. Second amendment of the Indian Patents Bill. List-II: I. 27 documented varieties grown in India, II. Decides on the validity of GM research, III. Takes into account patent terms, emergency provisions and research and development initiatives, IV. Use of bio-resources without authorisation or compensatory payment.
  1. A-IV, B-II, C-III, D-I
  2. A-II, B-IV, C-I, D-III
  3. A-I, B-IV, C-II, D-III
  4. A-II, B-III, C-I, D-IV
Show answer
Answer: (B) A-II, B-IV, C-I, D-III
Explanation: GEAC decides on the validity of GM research and the safety of introducing GM organisms for public services. Biopiracy is the use of bio-resources without proper authorisation or compensatory payment. Basmati rice, known for its aroma and flavour, has 27 documented varieties grown in India. The second amendment of the Indian Patents Bill takes into account patent terms, emergency provisions and research and development initiatives.

Question 15

Plants, animals and microbes that people use to obtain commercial and other benefits are collectively known as
  1. Biofortified crops
  2. Bioweapons
  3. Bio-resources
  4. Biopatents
Show answer
Answer: (C) Bio-resources
Explanation: Living organisms used by people for commercial and other benefits are called bio-resources. Their use without authorisation or compensation by multinational companies is what is called biopiracy.

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