Question

What might be an advantage of beginning gene therapy prior to birth?
a. This would give the body plenty of time to utilize the new genes.
b. The body would not reject it as it has not yet recognized ‘self’.
c. The cells being extremely young, are more receptive to gene therapy.
d. There probably is not any advantage.

Answer 1

Gene therapy is a type of medical technology that is applied to the treatment of genetic and congenital diseases. This technique is helpful in the replacement of the non-functional gene which is responsible for a particular defect by a functional.

Complete answer:
Gene therapy is a method that involves the replacement of a defective gene with a healthy gene for the purpose of treating various genetic disorders. It is a completely artificial method where new DNA is introduced into the cells of the human body. Gene therapy was applied for the first time in the year 1989.

In gene therapy, a cell with the defective gene can be injected with a normal gene for the normal functioning of the cell. This technique is also helpful to fight against various diseases in the human body. Inserting a new DNA into the cell, the damaged proteins are replaced in that cell. When the diseases are caused due to improper protein production in the cell, then these diseases can be treated by gene therapy.

There are two kinds of gene therapy are introduced which are Somatic Gene Therapy and Germline Gene Therapy. Somatic Gene Therapy usually applies in the somatic cells of the human body. This is used only when a single person has the damaged cells i.e. disorder did not come from the parent. This technique is considered the best and safest method of gene therapy. Germline Gene Therapy applies in the germline cells of the human body. This method is used to treat when the genetic disorder is passed from the parents to their children. Germline gene therapy has various risks.

After the birth of a child, the body of the child has its natural immunity, where any foreign body will not be allowed to settle into the child’s body easily. But before the birth, when it is in the pre embryonic stage, the body has not yet recognized itself, therefore this gene therapy would be accepted easily.

Hence, the correct answer is option (b).

Note: Gene therapy is a medical process. In which the defective gene is replaced by a new and healthy gene. This is an artificial process where a new gene is inserted into the body. This therapy is used to treat different types of disorders such as cancer. After birth, the body introduced a natural immunity. But before birth, the body is not recognized itself, therefore it is easy to introduce gene therapy before birth.