Question

Which statements describe gene therapy? Check all that apply.

1)Gene therapy includes selective breeding.
2)Gene therapy includes the cloning of DNA.
3)Gene therapy is a form of genetic engineering.
4)Gene therapy is an attempt to cure diseases.
5)Gene therapy involves replacing mutated genes.

Answer 1

Gene therapy is a medical field which focuses on the genetic modification of cells to produce a therapeutic effect[1] or the treatment of disease by repairing or reconstructing defective genetic material.[2] The first attempt at modifying human DNA was performed in 1980 by Martin Cline, but the first successful nuclear gene transfer in humans, approved by the National Institutes of Health, was performed in May 1989.[3] The first therapeutic use of gene transfer as well as the first direct insertion of human DNA into the nuclear genome was performed by French Anderson in a trial starting in September 1990. It is thought to be able to cure many genetic disorders or treat them over time.

Gene therapy using an adenovirus vector. In some cases, the adenovirus will insert the new gene into a cell. If the treatment is successful, the new gene will make a functional protein to treat a disease.