GS PrelimsScience and TechnologyHuman Reproduction2020

In the context of recent advances in human reproductive technology, "Pronuclear Transfer" is used for

A

fertilization of egg in vitro by the donor sperm

B

genetic modification of sperm producing cells

C

development of stem cells into functional embryos

D

prevention of mitochondrial diseases in offspring

Correct Answer: Option D

Explanation

1. Pronuclear Transfer (PNT) is a technique associated with Mitochondrial Replacement Therapy (MRT), aimed at preventing the transmission of mitochondrial diseases from mother to child. 2. The process involves fertilizing both the mother's egg and a donor egg (with healthy mitochondria) with the father's sperm in vitro. 3. Before the fertilized eggs start dividing (at the pronuclear stage), the pronuclei (containing the parents' nuclear DNA) are removed from the mother's fertilized egg and transferred into the donor fertilized egg, from which the original pronuclei have been removed. 4. The resulting reconstructed embryo has nuclear DNA from the parents and mitochondrial DNA from the donor, thus achieving the prevention of mitochondrial diseases in offspring. 5. Option (A) describes in vitro fertilization, which is a prerequisite but not the PNT itself. 6. Option (B) is incorrect; PNT involves manipulation at the fertilized egg stage, not genetic modification of sperm producing cells. 7. Option (C) is incorrect; PNT is a specific procedure on early embryos, not the development of stem cells into functional embryos.

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