Which kind of therapy was given in 1990 to a four-year-old girl with adenosine deaminase (ADA) deficiency?
(a) Gene therapy
(b) Chemotherapy
(c) Immunotherapy
(d) Radiation therapy
Answer (a) : Gene therapy is a technique of genetic engineering which involves replacement of a faulty/disease causing gene by a normal healthy functional gene. The first clinical gene therapy was given in 1990 to a 4-year old girl with adenosine deaminase (ADA) deficiency. This enzyme is very important for the immune system to function. The deficiency of this enzyme can lead to severe combined immune deficiency (SCID).
