Question

Select the correct answer. Performing gene therapy on somatic cells removed from the body and then returned to the body is called _____ gene therapy.

a. in vivo
b. in situ
c. in vitro
d. ex vivo

Answer 1

Ex vivo gene therapy involves removing somatic cells from the body, genetically modifying them in a laboratory, and then re-introducing them into the patient. d. ex vivo

Step-by-step explanation:

Performing gene therapy on somatic cells that are removed from the body and then returned to the body is called ex vivo gene therapy.

In this procedure, the somatic cells are taken from an individual and cultivated in a laboratory setting. The cells are then transfected with a vector containing the therapeutic gene and once the cells have integrated the gene of interest, they are selected and transplanted back into the patient. This method has been explored in the treatment of various genetic disorders such as Gaucher disease, sickle cell anemia, and thalassemia.