Question

An example of gene therapy is:

• A. Production of injectable hepatitis B vaccine
• B. Production of vaccines in food crops like potatoes which can be eaten
• C. Introduction of gene for adenosine deaminase in persons suffering from Severe Combined Immuno-deficiency (SCID)
• D. Production of test tube babies by artificial insemination and implantation of fertilized eggs.

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

On September 14, 1990 researchers at the U.S. National Institutes of Health performed the first (approved) gene therapy procedure on four-year old Ashanti DeSilva. Born with a rare genetic disease called severe combined immune deficiency (SCID), she lacked a healthy immune system, and was vulnerable to every passing germ. Children with this illness usually develop overwhelming infections and rarely survive to adulthood.