Yna Camille R.

Wenceslao

Science, Technology and Society

Article Review – “Bubble kid' success puts gene therapy back on track”

1. What are the relevant facts of this case?

Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID) is an inherited primary

immunodeficiency disease (PIDD) that an infancy born without immune system
due to a genetic defect. It is also known as “bubble boy” disease. SCID patients
who were diagnosed and treated early 3.5 months had a 91% survival rate and
those treated after 3.5 months had a 76% survival rate.

2. What are some ethical questions or concerns raised in this case?

The patients who suffered Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID) had a

possible consequence in their treatment that can be fully recovered or temporary
and “is it ethical that a child raise in isolation?, that is also one of the concern that
they think. For them, that it is not ethical to raise child in bubble.

3. Who are the stakeholders in this situation? Who are affected by the decisions
made?

I think that the parents and the doctors are the one who makes decision and if
something happen they can be affected even the one who has the disease.
Every decision that the one who is involved, can affect many newborn babies as
well.

4. What values influence the decision of each group of stakeholders?

For me, the values influence the decision is that everything is possible in the way
they treat their patients even there is no chance in surviving. And in the future
many people will want to help those children with disease.
5. What are some possible actions and their consequences?

Some possible action was that they will have many challenges that will come but
even after many years they can still help many new born babies that are born
with this disease and any consequences that will come they can still make it.

6. What do you consider to be the best action and why?

For me, the best action was when David had his normal life as a child even if it is
just for a day. He can enjoy playing with other kids as well as bonding with his
family.