With reference to the recent developments in science, which one of the following statements is not correct?

With reference to the recent developments in science, which one of the…

Functional chromosomes can be created by joining segments of DNA taken from cells of different species.
Pieces of artificial functional DNA can be created in laboratories.
A piece of DNA taken out from an animal cell can be made to replicate outside a living cell in a laboratory.
Cells taken out from plants and animals can be made to undergo cell division in laboratory petri dishes.

Answer

(a) Functional chromosomes from DNA segments of different species was not an established scientific development in the relevant UPSC context. Recombinant DNA can be made, but creating fully functional chromosomes this way is not the correct statement here. Verdict: Not correct.
(b) Artificial functional DNA can indeed be synthesized in laboratories; synthetic genes and DNA sequences are well established. Verdict: Correct.
(c) DNA taken from an animal cell can be replicated outside a living cell using laboratory techniques such as in vitro DNA replication/PCR. Verdict: Correct.
(d) Plant and animal cells can be cultured in petri dishes and induced to divide under suitable conditions. Verdict: Correct.