Biotechnology and Its Applications Question 39
39. Exploration of molecular, genetic and species level diversity for novel products of economic importance is known as :
[2019, Odisa]
(a) Bioprospecting
(b) Biopiracy
(c) Bioenergetics
(d) Bioremediation
Show Answer
Answer : a
Hints & Solutions
(a) Bioprospecting refers to exploring molecular, genetic and species level diversity for process of discovery and commercialisation of new products of economic importance. Bioprospection can be said to have two different sides. On one hand, the many bioprospecting activities provide opportunities to make human life better, e.g. the opium poppy gave us a pain reliever called morphine, the white willow tree helped us develop aspirin, our knowledge about spoiled sweet clover gave rise to a powerful anticoagulant called warfarin. While on the other hand, this activity poses a threat to biodiversity because it provides opportunities for biopiracy.
