On the basis of the passage consider the following statements 1 Biodiversity can lead to economic an...........

English ( Master) Reading Comprehension (C)

Read the passage below and answer the following questions

Today, as much as 70% of medicines are derived from natural products. Around 20,000 plant species are believed to be used for medicinal purposes. In India too, 95% of the prescriptions are plant based in the traditional systems of Unani, Ayurveda and Siddha. India has 47,000 species of flowering and non-flowering plants representing 12% of the world's flora. Research needs to be promoted in finding the medicinal value of this biodiversity wealth. I was reading about Taxusbaccata, a sub Himalayan tree which was once believed to be of no value. Recent research has proven it to be an effective medicine against certain type of cancers. Similarly in April when I met the cancer research team from the Brown Cancer Research Centre of Louisville, USA, I was pleasantly surprised to find that they are researching on developing a low cost cervical cancer vaccine based on a protein from tobacco leaves. The traditional Indian Neem tree has been used as an antiseptic, anti-fungal, anti-parasitic, anti-inflammatory and even as an organic pesticide. In 2006, when I visited Chitrakoot PURA in Madhya Pradesh, I saw a herbal garden with 400 Ayurvedic herbs at their health centre called "Arogyadham". This Herbal garden is vertically integrated with Ayurvedic pharmacy laboratory called "Rasshala". These medicines are standardized and sold in the external market and at the same time the local people are also trained in the usage of these medicines.

On the basis of the passage, consider the following statements:

1. Biodiversity can lead to economic and societal welfare

2. We need to take necessary steps to patent all ayurvedic medicines before other countries take credit for their medicinal value

Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?

1 only

2 only

Both 1 and 2

Neither 1 nor 2

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Explanation:

Statement (1) has to be indirectly checked based on what the passage is trying to say. As per the passage, India’s biodiversity shows examples where certain plants which were thought to be of no medicinal value are now considered important in the treatment of certain disease. Also, the passage gives an example where a herbal garden that has more than 400 Ayurvedic herbs (which denotes biodiversity) is used to create and sell Ayurvedic medicines. Thus, the passage clearly gives illustrations of both economic as well as societal welfare due to biodiversity. Thus, statement (1) has to be considered correct. As per the passage, we need to understand that Ayurvedic medicines have their own value but does not mention anything about patenting them. Therefore, statement (2) is incorrect.

Hence, the correct answer is option (a).