Question

Somatic gene therapy is the transfer of gene(s) into _____A_____. It is __B______ exerting its effect on _____C________.

• A. A- body cells except the germ cells, B- non-heritable, C- patient only
• B. A- germ cells, B- non-heritable, C- patient only
• C. A- body cells except the germ cells, B- heritable, C- future generations
• D. A- embryo, B- heritable, C- future generations

Answer 1

The correct option is A A- body cells except the germ cells, B- non-heritable, C- patient only

Somatic gene therapy is the technique that involves the introduction of genetic material into an appropriate cell type in vivo in such a way that it alters the cell's gene expression to produce a therapeutic effect. In somatic gene therapy, the therapeutic genes are transferred into the somatic cells of the human body. The added gene makes desirable proteins in the cells. The effects of this therapy are limited to the individual patient only and are not inherited by the offspring. This is because the therapeutic genes are transferred to the somatic cells and not the germ cells.