The Ashanti Desilva Miracle
In 1990, four year old Ashanti DeSilva became the first recipient of gene therapy. DeSilva suffered from Adenosine Deaminase Deficiency (ADA), a rare immune system deficiency that is caused by a lack of an enzyme adenosine deaminase. Those that suffer from ADA are susceptible and defenseless against numerous diseases and infections, and often times die before their first birthday.
Gene therapy, a form of genetic engineering, was used to treat DeSilva's disease and save her life. Dr. W French Anderson, Dr. Michael Blaese and Dr. Kenneth Culve were able to inject her with genetically engineered white blood cells to strengthen her immune system.
Though DeSilva still has to receive gene therapy to ensure that her enzyme levels are maintained, the use of gene therapy to treat her was an important precedent in the field of genetic engineering. It showed that the use of gene therapy was a viable option in medical treatments, and has opened the door for further research in the field of genetic engineering.
Gene therapy, a form of genetic engineering, was used to treat DeSilva's disease and save her life. Dr. W French Anderson, Dr. Michael Blaese and Dr. Kenneth Culve were able to inject her with genetically engineered white blood cells to strengthen her immune system.
Though DeSilva still has to receive gene therapy to ensure that her enzyme levels are maintained, the use of gene therapy to treat her was an important precedent in the field of genetic engineering. It showed that the use of gene therapy was a viable option in medical treatments, and has opened the door for further research in the field of genetic engineering.