Gene Therapy Essay

Gene therapy is a very controversial topic that has been discussed in the last five years and is being heavily studied to help cure cancer. Gene therapy is a technique aimed at treating genetic disorders by introducing the correct form of the defective gene into the patient’s genome (Dunlop et al., 2010).

Although the treatment is costly and only available in clinical trials, gene therapy has treated some of the most known diseases, like Parkinson’s disease. People who are for gene therapy believe that it will change our world by getting rid of sickness. They think of a world without cancer and Parkinson’s disease. However, the people against gene therapy see a world with technology overtaking civilization. In their eyes, they think that gene therapy is wrong because of the side effects and the concept behind it. In addition, when thinking about gene therapy, the opposers conjecture that changing the genetic makeup of someone affected with genetic illness is wrong. I, on the other hand, believe that changing the genetic makeup of someone that is ill and suffering is exceptional because it is to their advantage. All in all, gene therapy is a heavily debated topic, but I believe that gene therapy can change our world in a positive

This is one of the major factors that lead to the absence in the gaining of therapeutic science. Although the lack in progress cannot be the only factor blasted for; some scientific trials have confirmed both anxious and fearful, advancing tighter on gene therapy restrictions. According to Hogarth, this hotly debatable topic of whether it is dangerous or not “playing God” has caused many religious, governmental, scientific and public figures to signify their own concerns in fierce debates (Hogarth para 9). Since the beginning of gene therapy, there has always been a constant battle over the guidance of its future of whether gene therapy will transform into a therapeutic science or lead to unpleasant consequences as the eugenics did in the 20th century. The ethics of gene therapy have been established and based on, not only beliefs, but also the disconnection and advantages achieved in the trials, which has lead to the breakthrough of the future of gene therapy. The downfall and advancement of gene therapy are the hereditary products of research that have had a major influential impact on its ethical features. When gene therapy was a novice, it gained an immense amount of popularity when scientific research evolved towards identifying genes that induce certain diseases (Hunt, 2006).

Fifty years after the idea of gene therapy was first proposed, gene therapy has become a possible treatment for a couple different diseases. Before this treatment was approved, some serious unfavorable effects were found in clinical trials. However, these effects fueled more basic research in order to improve, in efficiency and safety. Gene therapy has been used for patients with blindness, neuromuscular disease, hemophilia, immunodeficiencies, and cancer.

Whether gene therapy should be allowed to be used in practice is currently a very controversial topic. In my opinion, I do not think that it should be allowed. Gene therapy is a technique where genetic material is inserted into a patient to replace missing or defective genes. Gene therapy can be further broken down into two categories: somatic and germline. From there, somatic gene therapy can be approached in two ways: in-vivo and ex-vivo. For the process of gene therapy to begin, the proper vector needs to be acquired. Once a vector is chosen, the vector delivers the new gene into the target cell. Then, the target cell becomes infected with the vector. Next, the vector’s genetic material is inserted into the target cell. Then finally, functional

There are two types of gene therapy; germline gene and somatic gene therapy. Germline gene therapy is considered to be a safer option for humans. This method makes changes to the gamete cells that are used in the reproductive process thus, the functional genes need to be inserted into the chromosomes. Somatic gene therapy is when genes are transferred to body cells by inserting vectors into a person’s body. There are three things that gene therapy can do; replace a mutated gene that causes a disease with a healthy gene, deactivate a mutated gene that is not able to function properly, or introduce a new gene into the body to prevent diseases. There has been a clinical trial in the past where over 3000 people were treated with gene therapy and the results were good however, this treatment method has serious health

Li, and Huang discuss the controversial topic of gene therapy by first providing a factual summary of gene therapy. Their introduction goes into the specifics of the types of vectors (carriers that deliver a gene to target cells) used to transfer genes in order to aide damaged proteins. Afterwards, they transition into the detailed of process of gene therapy. They start this off with naked DNA and state it is the simplest approach to nonviral transfers and the least toxic method. However, despite being the least toxic and a nonviral transfer it does not have as great of an effect as Cationic lipids. Cationic lipids have been used in various experiments but are known to be safe only when administered in small doses. Furthermore they go into

Gene therapy is a technique that allows for the modification of genes to treat or prevent disease and may become a viable way for doctors to treat a disorder without the need of drugs or surgery. This technology is still experimental, being only about three decades old with the first successful human trial occurring in 1990 when Dr. William French Anderson treated Ashi DeSilva for Adenosine deaminase deficiency (ADA deficiency), which is a genetic, metabolic disorder which causes immunodeficiency. Researchers are testing several approaches to gene therapy, which include replacing mutated, disease-causing genes with a healthy copy of the gene, inactivation a malfunctioning gene, and introducing new genes into the body that will help fight diseases. Over the last two decades, about 2,000 trials have been conducted or approved and future prospects for this technique are encouraging, include the engineering of human genetics in ways that may prove controversial and difficult to predict. This paper will explain how gene therapy works, what it has accomplished so far, its future and current hurdles, and what this all means for our species.

Scientists and doctors alike have long been looking for cures to diseases like cancer. For years now, there have been countless fundraisers to cure this and cure that. And yet, it seems as if there's never any progress. There may be a brief headline in the news about a new discovery, but they always seem to never go anywhere. Maybe the problem is that they've been looking in the wrong places. Maybe the cure doesn't lie on a medicinal level, but instead the genetic level, in genetic engineering and gene therapy. Direct manipulation of an organism's genome can be used in gene therapy as a means to alter genes, causing both positive and negatives effects as well as discussions about the ethical boundaries of modern

The simplicity and effectiveness of this technique suggests that gene therapy could be more widely incorporated in the management and prevention of diseases. Whilst researching the latest medical treatments being developed, I came to realise, many treatments will not be available on the NHS due to cost. This contradicted my childhood ideas of medicine; a profession of simply curing the ill no matter what. Reading ‘Doing Right’ by Philip Herbert gave me an insight into the core principles of medical ethics. Applying these principles to controversial issues such as the availability of treatments or the Charlie Gard case has helped me to better understand the basis of health economics and complexity of healthcare.

In the future, gene therapy could be used to alter genes that influence behaviour. There are two types of gene therapy: somatic gene therapy which modifies the DNA in the body, usually intargeted cells, and germline gene therapy where the reproductive cells are altered and the changes are transmitted to future generations (“Genetics and Human Behaviour: The Ethical Context”).

The second technique is the in situ (or "in position") therapy. Cells carrying corrective genes are introduced directly into the tissue where the genes are needed. This treatment is good for conditions that are localized, but it cannot correct systemic disorders. In situ treatment is being explored for diseases like cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy, and cancer. This treatment is still hindered by a lack of safe and effective ways for implanting correct genes into various organs (Anderson, 1995).

Just as there are different types of people who look at one glass of water and describe it as half full or half empty, the public has many different views on the future of our society. Gene therapy is also a glass that can be viewed in different angles – different perspectives. Some say it has great potential to shape the ideals of our future, while others believe it signifies intolerance for disabilities, imperfections that supposedly deplete from a person’s interests, opportunities and welfare (quoted by Peter Singer, xviii). This global issue has brought people with different opinions in the open, arguing their views using history,

revolutionizing medicine and treating disease. It is believed that Gene Therapy holds the key to

Every living thing is the product of the genes that were passed down from ancestors. Genes make up everything we are. One gets their traits from their parents. Most people live full lives with relatively good health. However, some people inherit mutated genes or faulty genes. This could lead to genetic disorders that could be life threatening. Even today, many genetic disorders still remain incurable, leaving many people without hope. Genetic therapy could be their answer. It is through this research that the cure for genetic disorders can be found. Though some people believe it is unethical or immoral to alter genes, current therapeutics have not been able to save the lives of the patients with these diseases. Genetic therapy