Gene Therapy Reading Answers

Gene Therapy Reading Answers contains 13 questions and belongs to the assessment system of the IELTS General Reading test. Gene Therapy reading section must be answered within 20 minutes. In this IELTS reading passage, you'll encounter question types like Write no more than one word, Do the following statements agree with the information given in Reading Passage? and Choose the appropriate letters. Also, Gene Therapy Reading Answers contains detailed information about the evolution, types, methods, and ethical concerns of gene therapy. To practice reading comprehension passages like this one, candidates are encouraged to explore the IELTS Reading Practice Test section.

Check: Get 10 Free Sample Papers
Check: Register for IELTS Coaching - Join for Free Trial Class Now

Topic:

A.Gene therapy is the introduction of genes into existing cells to prevent or cure a wide range of diseases. The most common form of gene therapy involves using DNA that encodes a functional, therapeutic gene to replace a mutated gene. Gene therapy was first conceptualised in 1972, with the authors urging caution before commencing human gene therapy studies. The first attempt, an unsuccessful one, at modifying human DNA was performed in 1980 by Martin Cline. The first successful nuclear gene transfer in humans, approved by the National Institutes of Health, was performed in May 1989. The first therapeutic use of gene transfer as well as the first direct insertion of human DNA into the nuclear genome was performed by French Anderson in a trial starting in September 1990. The first commercial gene therapy, Gendicine, was approved in China in 2003 for the treatment of certain cancers. In 2011, Neovasculgen was registered in Russia as the first-in-class gene-therapy drug for treatment of peripheral artery disease, including critical limb ischemia. In 2012, Glybera, a treatment for a rare inherited disorder, lipoprotein lipase deficiency, was approved by the European Commission.

B.Although the technology is still in its infancy, it has been used with some success. It is a potential therapy for a number of diseases (such as cystic fibrosis, sickle cell anaemia, adrenoleukodystrophy and haemophilia) as well as several inherited retinal diseases. Current gene therapy has primarily focused on treating individuals by targeting the therapy to somatic (body) cells, such as bone marrow cells. Gene therapy may be classified into the two following types: Somatic gene therapy: In somatic gene therapy, the therapeutic genes are transferred into the somatic cells (cells that do not make sperm or eggs) of a patient. Any modifications and effects will be restricted to the individual patient only, and will not be inherited by the patient's offspring or later generations. Somatic gene therapy represents mainstream basic and clinical research, in which therapeutic DNA is used to treat disease. Germline gene therapy: In germline gene therapy, germ cells (sperm or eggs) are modified by the introduction of functional genes, which are ordinarily integrated into their genomes. The change due to therapy would therefore be heritable and would be passed on to later generations. In some jurisdictions, germline gene therapy is the only feasible option for some diseases; however, this option is fraught with many bio-ethical considerations. For the present, germline gene therapy is prohibited for application in human beings, at least for the foreseeable future, in most countries.

C.Gene therapy may be classified into two types, ex vivo and in vivo, on the basis of the method of delivery of genes. Ex vivo gene therapy involves the transfer of genes in cultured cells and reinsertion of the genetically altered cells back into the patient. In vivo gene therapy is the direct delivery of genes into the cells of a particular tissue in the body. The in vivo gene delivery can be divided into two categories: the therapeutic gene is directly injected into the body tissues; the therapeutic DNA is delivered to the target cells through the circulation.

D.Gene therapy uses sections of DNA (usually genes) to treat or prevent disease. The DNA is carefully selected to correct the effect of a mutated gene that is causing disease. The technique was first developed in 1972 but has, so far, had limited success in treating human diseases. For example, in 1999, 18-year-old Jesse Gelsinger died after undergoing gene therapy for ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency, and in 2002 it was reported that two children treated for X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency (X-SCID) in a clinical trial in 1999 had developed leukaemia. However, more than 1,800 gene therapy clinical trials have been conducted since the technique was first developed. Gene therapy can be used to modify cells inside or outside the body. When it's done inside the body, a doctor will inject the vector carrying the gene directly into the patient. This method is useful when only certain tissues require correction. When it's done outside the body, doctors will take a sample of the patient's cells and expose them to the vector in a laboratory. The corrected cells are then returned to the patient. This approach is more useful when only a few cells need to be corrected.

E.Gene therapy has the potential to eliminate and prevent hereditary diseases such as cystic fibrosis and is a possible cure for heart disease, AIDS and cancer. The technology is still in its infancy. If the defects in the gene are corrected, these diseases could be treated.

Gene therapy could have the potential to cure many genetic disorders. However, there are concerns that the wide range use of gene therapy in human beings is not safe.

Questions 14-18

Reading Passage 2 has five sections, A-E.

Which section contains the following information? Write the correct letter, A-E.

NB: You may use any letter more than once

14. a reference to a person who resisted the use of gene therapy on humans

Answer: A

Supporting statement: "…with the authors urging caution before commencing human gene therapy studies."

Keywords: caution, human gene therapy, authors

Keyword Location: Paragraph A, line 2

Explanation: The passage refers to the initial suggestion of gene therapy in 1972 and highlights the authors’ warning about using it on humans.

15. a reference to the early failure of a gene therapy trial

Answer: A

Supporting statement: "The first attempt, an unsuccessful one, at modifying human DNA was performed in 1980 by Martin Cline."

Keywords: first attempt, unsuccessful, Martin Cline

Keyword Location: Paragraph A, line 3

Explanation: It clearly identifies the early failure of gene therapy by Martin Cline.

16. a reference to different methods of delivering gene therapy.

Answer: C

Supporting statement: "Gene therapy may be classified into two types, ex vivo and in vivo..."

Keywords: ex vivo, in vivo, delivery

Keyword Location: Paragraph C, line 1

Explanation: This paragraph explains the two delivery methods used in gene therapy.

17. A reference to the ethical concerns surrounding inheritable gene therapy.

Answer: B

Supporting statement: "...germline gene therapy is prohibited... due to many bio-ethical considerations."

Keywords: germline gene therapy, bio-ethical considerations

Keyword Location: Paragraph B, last 3 lines

Explanation: The section discusses ethical concerns related to inheritable changes from germline therapy.

18. mention of the total recorded attempts to apply gene therapy in clinical research.

Answer: D

Supporting statement: "…more than 1,800 gene therapy clinical trials have been conducted since the technique was first developed."

Keywords: 1,800 clinical trials, conducted

Keyword Location: Paragraph D, line 5

Explanation: This sentence gives the total count of recorded attempts at applying gene therapy.

Questions 19-20

Choose ONE WORD ONLY for each answer.

TYPES OF GENE THERAPY

Gene therapy can be classified as either somatic or germline. In somatic gene therapy, the 19………………..

Answer: somatic

Supporting statement: "In somatic gene therapy, the therapeutic genes are transferred into the somatic cells..."

Keywords: somatic, therapeutic genes, transferred

Keyword Location: Paragraph B, mid

Explanation: The word somatic directly describes the type of cells targeted in one form of gene therapy.

cells of a patient are targeted for gene replacement. The effects of the therapy will not be passed down to future 20………………….

Answer: generations

Supporting statement: "...will not be inherited by the patient's offspring or later generations."

Keywords: not inherited, generations

Keyword Location: Paragraph B, line 5

Explanation: The effects of somatic gene therapy are limited to the individual and not passed to generations.

Questions 21-22

Choose ONE WORD ONLY for each answer.

However, in germline gene therapy, the DNA of a patient's sperm or egg cells is altered. This means that any changes will be passed down to future generations. Although this type of gene therapy is not permitted in humans in most countries, it may be the only possible cure for people with a certain 21......

Answer: disease

Supporting statement: "...in some jurisdictions, germline gene therapy is the only feasible option for some diseases..."

Keywords: only feasible option, some diseases

Keyword Location: Paragraph B, last lines

Explanation: In certain cases, germline therapy may be the only treatment for a specific disease.

In addition, gene therapy can be classified as either ex vivo or in vivo. In ex vivo gene therapy, the genes are altered outside the patient's body before the 22………………

Answer: reinsertion

Supporting statement: "...transfer of genes in cultured cells and reinsertion of the genetically altered cells..."

Keywords: reinsertion, altered cells

Keyword Location: Paragraph C, line 2

Explanation: Ex vivo gene therapy involves reinserting genetically modified cells back into the patient.

into the patient. In vivo gene therapy involves injecting the therapeutic DNA directly into the patient's body.

Questions 23-26

Do the following statements agree with the information given in Reading Passage?

TRUE if the statement agrees with the information

FALSE if the statement contradicts the information

NOT GIVEN If there is no information on this

23. The first gene therapy trial on humans was unsuccessful.

Answer: TRUE

Supporting statement: "The first attempt, an unsuccessful one, at modifying human DNA..."

Keywords: first attempt, unsuccessful

Keyword Location: Paragraph A, line 3

Explanation: The passage confirms that the first human trial failed.

24. So far, gene therapy has only been used on adults.

Answer: NOT GIVEN

Explanation: The passage does not specify the age of all gene therapy recipients.

25. X-SCID is more common in boys than girls.

Answer: NOT GIVEN

Explanation: It mentions X-SCID but not its prevalence among genders.

26. The corrected cells are then returned to the patient.

Answer: TRUE

Supporting statement: "The corrected cells are then returned to the patient."

Keywords: corrected cells, returned

Keyword Location: Paragraph D, last 2 lines

Explanation: This line directly confirms that cells are reintroduced after correction.

Check IELTS reading samples:

• The Hidden Power of Friendship Reading Answers
• The Rise and Fall of Superhero Movies Reading Answers
• Adapting or Fading Penguins Struggling with Climate Change
• History in Various Centuries Reading Answers
• The Mark Twain Narrative Reading Answers
• How Birth Order Affects Your Personality Reading Answers
• The History of Football Reading Answers
• When Tablet Turns Teacher Reading Answers
• Steve Jobs A Brief Life History Reading Answers
• History of Writing Implements Tools for Writing Reading Answers
• Six Classical Dances of India Reading Answers
• Open All Day Reading Answers
• Leadership Reading Answers
• Team Building Approaches Reading Answers
• Road Safety Tips Reading Answers
• Rental Home Advertisements Reading Answers
• Packaging Free Shops may Tackle Plastic but Risk increasing Food Waste Reading Answers
• Caving Reading Answers
• The old but Gold Cinderella Reading Answers
• Sir Alexander Fleming Reading Answers
• Land Line Phone Reading AnswersProducing Sugar Reading Answers
• Producing Sugar Reading Answers
• Birdlike Dinosaurs Reading Answers
• Can People Change Reading Answers
• How to be a Good Teacher Reading Answers
• Probabilistic Earthquake Risk Maps of Tasmania Reading Answers
• Africa Arts and Crafts Reading Answers
• Adelaide Brighton Cement LTD Reading Answers
• Movers and Shakers Reading Answers
• Establishing Your Birthrights Reading Answers
• Marine Mammals Exhibit Their Ingenuity Reading Answers
• Woodgreen Neighborhood Watch Reading Answers
• Making a Loss is the Height of Fashion Reading Answers
• The Ecological Importance of Bees Reading Answers
• The Legacy of Lucy Detailed IELTS Reading Answers
• The Terracotta Army Insights from the IELTS Reading Answers
• Why Do We Need Sleep Reading Answers
• The Role of Exercise in Health Key Insights from Health Promotion Consultant Reading Answers
• A Focal Point of Academic Inquiry Reading Answers
• Viking Ireland Reading Answers
• The Threat to Grizzly Bears of Alberta Reading Answers
• Westley Museum Reading Answers
• Westley University Department of Media Reading Answers
• Drayton University Business Study Center Reading Answers
• Bigger Choices May Lead to Confusion and Depression IELTS Reading Answers
• Lodging Packages and Facilities IELTS Reading Answers
• How Birds Hatch Nest and Look after the Young Reading Answers
• Childrens Literature Reading Answers
• Homestays Feel like Home Reading Answers
• Piano Reading Answers