Given below are two statements regarding the treatment of Adenosine Deaminase (ADA) deficiency: Statement I: In gene therapy, functional ADA cDNA is introduced into the patient's cultured lymphocytes using a retroviral vector. Statement II: Returning these genetically engineered lymphocytes to the patient's body provides a permanent cure since these cells are immortal. In the light of the above statements, choose the

Step-by-step solution

In gene therapy for ADA deficiency, lymphocytes from the blood of the patient are grown in a culture outside the body. A functional ADA cDNA is then introduced into these lymphocytes using a retroviral vector. Thus, Statement I is correct. These genetically engineered lymphocytes are subsequently returned to the patient. However, since these cells are not immortal, the patient requires periodic infusion of such genetically engineered lymphocytes. A permanent cure is only possible if the gene isolated from marrow ce