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David Vetter (the Bubble Boy) was confined to a sterile plastic bubble since birth because of severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID).
At the age of 6, NASA created a sterile bubble suit for him so that he could explore his home for the first time.
Later, with the HIV virus (genetically modified), scientists defeated this disease (>90% cure rate) using gene therapy. Yes, you heard it right. The treatment was based on the bloody HIV virus. This is the full story.
1968
The first successful bone marrow transplant for SCID is performed, marking the beginning of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) as a potential cure. This involved using matched donor cells to restore immune function.
April: A healthy baby girl, Katherine Vetter, is born to Carol Ann and David J. Vetter Jr. Her two brothers will both be born with a genetic immunodeficiency disorder that only expresses itself in boys.
1969
Raphael Wilson, a Ph.D. in experimental biology, helps treat twin boys born with compromised immune systems. He places them in a plastic isolator where they will be safe from germs.
1970
David J. Vetter III is born. His health suffers, however, and his parents are referred to Texas Children's Hospital. Doctors determine that the boy has severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) and prepare a bone marrow transfusion from his sister Katherine. Before the transfusion can help, the child dies from multiple infections. Raphael Wilson joins paediatric immunologists Mary Ann South and John "Jack" R. Montgomery in counselling sessions with the Vetters.
1971
Carol Ann and David J. Vetter Jr. conceive another child. They look to the team of doctors at Texas Children's Hospital for assistance. If Carol Ann's genes indeed carry SCID, there is a one in four chance this child will carry the same disease. After amniocentesis determines that Carol Ann Vetter's baby is a boy, doctors explain that he has a one in two chance of being born with SCID. The option of abortion is offered and refused.
Though bone marrow transplantation is in its infancy and requires a near-perfect match between donor and recipient, Raphael Wilson assures the Vetters that the child can be born into a germ-free environment and maintained there until a bone marrow transplant can be performed.
September 21: David Phillip Vetter is born at Texas Children's Hospital. The hospital staff has made a heroic effort to create germ-free conditions. After less than twenty seconds of exposure to the world, the baby is placed in a plastic isolator bubble that will protect him from disease.
October: Doctors inform the Vetters that their son has severe combined immunodeficiency.
November: After they determine that Carol Ann can take care of the baby and David can handle the isolator, David's parents bring him home for four days over the Thanksgiving holiday.
The actual drive home is a fiasco; the Vetters lead the way but the ambulance drivers turn on their siren and zoom off ahead and get lost. After about an hour, Dr. Wilson demands that they get directions from a gas station. The gas station attendant directs them to the sheriff and the sheriff dispatches a car to lead them to the Vetters' house. The rest of the visit proceeds without incident. On subsequent visits, David's father will borrow a van and drive his son home himself.
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