Question

Scientists have genetically engineered potato plants to produce potatoes that contain edible vaccines. Which is a disadvantage of the genetically engineered potatoes?

a)They are easier to transport and store than injectable vaccines (shots).

b)They make it easier to administer edible vaccines.

c)They are more expensive than potatoes without the vaccine.

d)They have nutritional value while potatoes without the vaccine do not.

Answer 1

Answer: c)They are more expensive than potatoes without the vaccine.

A genetic engineering is a practice which is integral part of biotechnology which involves the genetic manipulation of organisms. In this the genome of organism is manipulated by incorporating the genome of the other organism, or some part of it is deleted so as to make organism resistance against diseases.

In the given situation, edible vaccines are incorporated in the potato plants, the vaccines are the chemical formulations which includes either the bacterial genome or some of it's agents which can fight against the one already present in the body causing diseases. This entire process requires an expensive technological support as a consequences of which the quality as well as price of these potatoes will be high as compared to conventionally produced potatoes.

Answer 2

Answer is b). They make it easier to administer edible vaccines.

Plant derived edible vaccines dependent on the stability of plant food. Potato is not eaten raw and it needs to be cooked before eating. Cooking causes denaturation or weaken the protein present in it. Edible vaccine is more effective in plant food which eaten raw such as banana. An individual get protected from diseases by simply eating a fruit.