Jenny, a 6-year-old child who has been raised in a germ-free environment from birth, is a victim of one of the most severe examples of an abnormal immune system. Jenny also suffers from cancer caused...

Jenny, a 6-year-old child who has been raised in a germ-free environment from birth, is a victim of one of the most severe examples of an abnormal immune system. Jenny also suffers from cancer caused by the Epstein-Barr virus. Relative to this case:

(a) What is the usual fate of children with Jenny’s condition and similar circumstances if no treatment is attempted?

(b) Why is Jenny’s brother chosen as the hematopoietic stem cell donor?

(c) Why is her physician planning to use umbilical cord blood as a source of stem cells for transplant if her brother’s stem cells fail (what are the hoped-for results)?

(d) Attempt to explain Jenny’s cancer.

(e) What similarities and dissimilarities exist between Jenny’s illness and AIDS?