Question

Prenatal gene therapy refers to the future possibility of using genetic techniques to

a. counsel parents about their risks of having a child with intellectual disability.
b. intervene in brain development prior to birth.
c. avoid misdiagnosing intellectual disability
d. detect intellectual disability before birth.

Answer 1

Prenatal gene therapy is aimed at correcting genetic defects within a developing fetus by introducing healthy genes, usually with the goal of curing genetic diseases. Prospective parents may be advised on risks and prenatal testing by genetic counselors. The correct answer is option: b. intervene in brain development prior to birth.

Step-by-step explanation:

Prenatal gene therapy refers to the potential use of genetic techniques to intervene in brain development prior to birth. This advanced form of treatment involves the introduction of a healthy gene to replace a mutated gene responsible for a disease. The goal of gene therapy is to cure genetic diseases by correcting genetic defects at their source.

Genetic diagnosis is closely tied to this, as it involves the diagnosis of potential diseases by analyzing disease-causing genes before treatment is administered. Genetic counselors play a crucial role in helping prospective parents understand the risks of genetic disorders, which can be identified through prenatal testing methods like amniocentesis.