a) What is Biopiracy?
(b) How ADA deficiency is cured by gene therapy?

Explanation

•Lymphocytes from the blood of the patient are grown in a culture outside the body.
• A functional ADA cDNA is introduced into these lymphocytes using a retroviral vector and the lymphocytes are introduced back into the patient.
• Periodic infusion of such genetically engineered lymphocytes is given as these cells are not immortal. If the gene isolate from marrow cells producing ADA is introduced into cells at early embryonic stages, it could be a permanent cure.