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.

On the basis of the above passage, the following assumptions have been made : 1. The issue of effects of natural calamities on agriculture is not given due consideration by GM technology companies. 2. In the long run, GM technology will not be able to solve agricultural problems arising due to global warming. Which of the above assumptions is/are valid ?

(a) 1 only ✓ UPSC's answer
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Why the answer is (a)

• The passage states that corporations invest in herbicide-tolerant and pest-resistant crops because these traits have a 'short window' before pests evolve, which suits their profit-maximizing goals.

• It explicitly contrasts this with the National Farmers Commission's view that priority must be given to genes imparting resistance to drought, salinity, and other stresses.

• Assumption 1 is valid because the passage implies that GM companies neglect stress resistance (like drought) in favor of short-term profitable traits, meaning natural calamity effects are not given due consideration by them.

• Assumption 2 is invalid because the passage does not discuss global warming or make claims about the long-term inability of GM technology to solve problems arising from it.

• Therefore, only Assumption 1 is supported by the text, making option (a) the correct answer.

Why the other options are wrong

(b) 2 only: Assumption 2 is invalid because the passage does not mention global warming or the long-term efficacy of GM technology regarding it.
(c) Both 1 and 2: Assumption 2 is invalid, so both assumptions cannot be valid.
(d) Neither 1 nor 2: Assumption 1 is valid, so it is incorrect to say neither is valid.

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.