Question

Which technique is used for the correction of diagnosed gene defects in a child / embryo? Explain with example.

Answer 1

Gene therapy is the method which is used for the correction of a defective gene in the child or the embryo in the womb of the mother. The defective gene can be introduced into the cells of the child which can replace the function of the defective gene. The child suffering from ADA (Adenosine deaminase) deficiency can be treated using gene therapy. The gene for ADA can be introduced in the bone marrow cells of the embryo. This is the permanent method. The other temporary method is by culturing the lymphocytes in ADA and then cDNA for the gene is introduced in the lymphocytes of the child. These genetically modified lymphocytes are introduced in the child after a regular period of intervals.