Question

What are the two types of gene therapy?

Answer 1

Gene therapy:

1. The technique is used to replace the mutated or defective genes with healthy genes in an organism.
2. In 1989, the first gene therapy was successful.

Types of gene therapy include somatic and germline gene therapy.

Somatic Gene therapy:

1. Gene therapy is used to replace defective somatic cells (autosomes) with healthy ones.
2. In this technique, the genetically modified genes are transferred to the somatic cells of the human body.

Germline Gene Therapy:

1. Gene therapy is used to replace defective germ cells.
2. It is used to treat genetic disorders caused due to variations in genes.

Applications:

1. It is used to replace defective genes.
2. It can be employed to treat Cancer, Cystic fibrosis. and X-linked immunodeficiencies and hemophilia.