Question

Identify the first biopatent among the following:

• A. Human insulin gene
• B. Synthetic DNA
• C. Oil clearing "Pseudomonas" bacterium
• D. Bt cotton gene

Hint:

The first patent on a living organism was granted in 1980 for an oil-eating bacterium.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Concept
A biopatent is a patent granted for a living organism or a biological invention.

Step 2: The first biopatent
In 1980 the USA granted a patent to Ananda Mohan Chakrabarty for a Pseudomonas bacterium engineered to break down crude oil, useful for cleaning oil spills.

Step 3: Other options
Patents on genes such as the human insulin gene or Bt cotton gene came later.

Final Answer:
The first biopatent was for the oil clearing Pseudomonas bacterium. \[ \boxed{\text{(C) }\text{Oil clearing ``\textit{Pseudomonas}'' bacterium}} \]