Question

Performing gene therapy on somatic cells removed from the body and then returned to the body is called _______ gene therapy.

a) In vivo
b) Ex vivo
c) In utero
d) Germ line

Answer 1

Performing gene therapy on cells outside the body and then reintroducing them is termed ex vivo gene therapy.

Step-by-step explanation:

Performing gene therapy on somatic cells removed from the body and then returned to the body is called ex vivo gene therapy. In this process, somatic cells from an individual are collected, grown in culture, and transfected with retroviral vectors containing the therapeutic gene.

After expansion and selection, these genetically modified cells are transplanted back into the patient, where they produce the desired protein product. This type of gene therapy is used to treat conditions such as Gaucher disease, sickle cell anemia, and thalassemia.