UPSC Prelims 2019 CSAT Paper II · Q41 of 79 Comprehension medium

Passage

Directions for the following 7 (seven) items : Read the following six passages and answer the items that follow each passage. Your answers to these items should be based on the passages only. Passage – 1 What stands in the way of the widespread and careful adoption of 'Genetic Modification (GM)' technology is an 'Intellectual Property Rights' regime that seeks to create private monopolies for such technologies. If GM technology is largely corporate driven, it seeks to maximize profits and that too in the short run. That is why corporations make major investments for herbicide-tolerant and pest-resistant crops. Such properties have only a short window, as soon enough, pests and weeds will evolve to overcome such resistance. This suits the corporations. The National Farmers Commission pointed out that priority must be given in genetic modification to the incorporation of genes that can help impart resistance to drought, salinity and other stresses.

Which one of the following is the most logical, rational and crucial message conveyed by the above passage ?

  1. (a) Public research institutions should take the lead in GM technology and prioritise the technology agenda. ✓ UPSC's answer
  2. (b) Developing countries should raise this issue in WTO and ensure the abolition of Intellectual Property Rights.
  3. (c) Private corporations should not be allowed to do agribusiness in India, particularly the seed business.
  4. (d) Present Indian circumstances do not favour the cultivation of genetically modified crops.

Why the answer is (a)

• The passage identifies the 'Intellectual Property Rights' regime and corporate profit motives as the primary obstacles to the widespread adoption of GM technology.

• It highlights that corporations prioritize short-term profits by investing in herbicide-tolerant and pest-resistant crops, which have a limited window of effectiveness before pests evolve.

• The National Farmers Commission is cited to argue that the priority in genetic modification should be on genes that impart resistance to long-term stresses like drought and salinity.

• Since corporate interests conflict with this public welfare agenda, the logical conclusion is that public research institutions, which are not driven by short-term profit, should lead the technology agenda.

• Therefore, option (a) is the most rational message, as it addresses the root cause (corporate monopoly) by proposing a shift in leadership to public institutions to prioritize stress-tolerance over short-term pest resistance.

Why the other options are wrong

(b) Developing countries should raise this issue in WTO and ensure the abolition of…
The passage does not suggest abolishing Intellectual Property Rights or taking the issue to the WTO; it focuses on shifting the research priority from corporate-driven short-term solutions to public-interest long-term stress resistance.
(c) Private corporations should not be allowed to do agribusiness in India, particularly the…
The passage critiques the corporate-driven agenda and IP regime but does not advocate for a complete ban on private corporations in agribusiness or the seed business.
(d) Present Indian circumstances do not favour the cultivation of genetically modified crops.
The passage argues for a change in the *type* of GM technology (prioritizing stress tolerance) and the *leadership* (public institutions), not that GM crops should not be cultivated at all in India.

Asked in the CSAT Paper II of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2019, held on 2 June 2019. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.

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