In the context of solving pollution problems, what is/are the advantage/advantages of bioremediation technique ? 

1. It is a technique for cleaning up pollution by enhancing the same biodegradation process that occurs in nature. 

2. Any contaminant with heavy metals such as cadmium and lead can be readily and completely treated by bioremediation using microorganisms.

 3. Genetic engineering can be used to create microorganisms specifically designed for bioremediation. 

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

Bioremediation is the use of living microorganisms, primarily bacteria and fungi, to degrade environmental contaminants into less toxic forms.

• Statement 1 is correct: It cleans up pollution by accelerating and enhancing the natural biodegradation processes already occurring in the environment.
• Statement 2 is incorrect: Bioremediation is highly effective for organic pollutants but not for elemental heavy metals like cadmium and lead. Because they are elements, heavy metals cannot be completely degraded or destroyed by microbes, though they can sometimes be transformed into less toxic states or immobilized.
• Statement 3 is correct: Genetic engineering is actively used to design and enhance microorganisms for specific bioremediation tasks. A prominent example is the genetically engineered Pseudomonas putida (often called the 'superbug'), developed to efficiently break down crude oil spills.

Therefore, statements 1 and 3 represent genuine advantages.