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'Bubble Boy' Cured by Gene Therapy in UK

Posted by timothy on from the heartening-and-lungening dept.

DrKyle writes "Another child with "Bubble Boy" disease aka ADA-SCID (adenosine deaminase deficiency causing severe combined immunodeficiency) has been cured by transforming bone marrow stem cells with the functioning gene. Normally toxic levels of adenosine build up in T-cells killing off those important cells required for a robust immune system. While not the first person cured, another successful case of gene therapy goes a long way in encouraging goverments to continue to fund genetic research."

5 of 56 comments (clear)

  1. I'm sorry... by d_p · · Score: 3, Funny

    ...the answer is "Moops".

  2. Re:Important question by Kraemahz · · Score: 5, Informative

    See: Gene Therapy
    Specifically this line:
    "In theory it is possible to transform either somatic cells (most cells of the body) or cells of the germline (such as stem cells, sperm and eggs). All gene therapy so far in people has been directed at somatic cells, whereas germline engineering in humans remains only a highly controversial prospect. For the introduced gene to be transmitted normally to offspring, it needs not only to inserted into the cell, but also to be incorporated into the chromosomes by genetic recombination."

    In order for the altered genes to be passed on the germline would have to be involved in the gene therapy process, which is considered making "designer humans" and thus frowned upon by biological conservatives (read: ethicists).

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    The Immortality Institute
  3. Playing God by Doc+Ruby · · Score: 4, Funny

    It's GOD'S WILL that Bubble Boy live a short, tortured life. Governments have no business stealing the money of the safely faithful to prop up the doctors, diabolically playing god, who thwart GOD'S WILL with these blasphemies. Doctors can go to hell with Bubble Boy, but they can't take us with them, dragged by our tax forms!

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    make install -not war

    1. Re:Playing God by BeatlesForum.com · · Score: 3, Funny

      I'm a Christian and I completely believe that doctors on this earth are provided God-given abilities to find treatments and cures. I'm glad that Bubble Boy has been cured. Praise the Lord.

      Disasters and disease can come upon anyone on this earth - Christians, Moslems, Athiests, X-Box junkies, regular business men and business women, etc., and everyone else on this planet. We all fall into sickess at some point in our lives - but only because of Original Sin. But one day we'll receive glorified bodies that won't age, won't hurt and won't deteriorate by accepting Christ.

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      When millions disappear from earth, it's not aliens, it's the rapture.
  4. Other trials were shut down (reformatted!) by rakarnik · · Score: 4, Informative

    Three other trials using gene therapy to cure the same disease were shut down by the FDA just last week. Apparently, the "harmless virus" used in a French trial ended up causing cancer in two patients. TFA does not seem to mention these other trials.

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    Genebrew