Essay on Gene Therapy is Revolutionizing Medicine

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

Just in case you are a little shaky on the topic of gene therapy I will briefly explain. Gene therapy is a type of treatment used

According to Kenneth Pakenham, Jo McEntire, and Jessica Williams (2013), in “Making Connections” Gene therapy and genetic tests are long experiment by scientists to find out specific genes are related to fatal diseases and birth defects. Many severe diseases depend on the gene type. When genes are known genetic tests for many genes will be available. Despite several challenges for gene therapy, genes treatment is possible identifying their defective genes tests.

The gene therapy was discovered in 1972 by authors who are advice the any author to make sure and study the gene carefully, the first try was unsuccessfully, also the first case for transfer gene in the human not count of transplantation of organ, for example it was done by Martin in 1980 , and Cline who is sad that gene was active in his patients after six months, although he did not publish this data, or it has been verified, Even if it is true, it is unlikely that it produced

At a simplistic level, gene therapy is the use of one’s own cells to provide a therapeutic effect. In the majority

This hotly debated topic of whether it is dangerous “playing God” has caused many religious, political, scientific, and public figures to express their concerns in heated debates (Hogarth para 9). Ever since the beginning of gene therapy, there has been constant dispute and friction over the direction of its future; of whether gene therapy will evolve into a therapeutic science or lead to horrible consequences as the eugenics movement did in the 20th century. The ethics of gene therapy have been based on, not only the beliefs, but also the fallbacks and advantages gained in experimental trials, which has inevitably lead to the progression of the future of gene therapy.

Gene therapy has the potential to revolutionize modern medicine. The techniques of gene therapy are still in their infancy as medical treatments and there are still many problems which must be solved before gene therapy will live up to its potential. However, it is very likely that gene therapy will become a reality at some point in the future and when that time comes, the ethical questions surrounding gene therapy will be pushed to the forefront of medicine. Science may find a way to reduce the risks associated with gene therapy but science alone cannot eliminate the serious ethical and societal risks which gene therapy brings to bear on the world. We need to put people's

By the end of this speech my audience will know what gene therapy is, including its technique and types, the benefits and limitations of gene therapy and real life success stories of gene therapy. 4. Central idea: gene therapy is a highly effective technique promising a future free of cancer and many genetic disorders never the less, initially it has potential risks to humans. Introduction I. Attention grabbing technique:  Link topic to audience person life and draw attention to the potential benefits of the topic  James Watson quote

Most people remain ignorant to the facts about gene therapy unless they are among the millions of people afflicted from a genetic disorder. In a clinical survey data showed that about one in ten people have, or will develop in their lifetime, an inherited genetic abnormality. Another clinical survey showed that approximately over two

The most recent success was when one-year-old, Layla, received gene therapy because other treatments were not helping with her leukemia (Alter). This treatment is not intended to be a cure for Layla, but rather keep her healthy until they can find a T-cell donor (Alter). Layla’s story is a step in the right direction for finding a cure for leukemia and for gene therapy being a treatment option. In another trial, five people received gene therapy to help treat their leukemia. The sickest patient of the five patients had no signs of leukemia after only eight days (Coghlan). As of now, three of the five patients are still alive (Coghlan). One of the two patients died due to relapsing, while the other one died from a blood clot that is said to be unrelated to the treatment (Coghlan). Although two people died, the trial was considered a success because the other three patients were cured. Michel Sadelain, one of the people who designed the trail, stated in an article by Andy Coghlan, ‘“The stunning finding was that in all five patients, tumours [sic] were undetectable after the treatment…’” (qtd. in Coghlan). Even before the other two patients died their cancer was undetectable, which means that their gene therapy treatment was successful. The patients each received a bone marrow donation to make sure that they could have a healthy immune system (Coghlan). This trial was another step in the right direction

A new form of medicine with the potential to save and improve millions of live is gene therapy, or gene replacement therapy. Gene therapy is the use of DNA as a pharmaceutical agent used to treat or cure diseases or disorders caused by defective or missing genes. There are three methods of gene therapy: replacing a mutated gene with a healthy copy of the same gene, inactivating a gene that is not functioning properly, or introducing a completely new gene to help the patient fight a disease. Gene therapy is a promising treatment option, however, the technique has yet to be perfected and is still dangerous and experimental.

There are three techniques that researchers are working on. The first and most common is ex vivo ( or "outside the living body") therapy. The defective cells are removed from the patient and replaced with the normal DNA before returning to the body. This therapy targets the blood cells because many genetic defects alter the functioning of one type of these cells or another. But since blood cells have limited life spans follow-up treatments are required. Future efforts will most likely target stem cells of the bone marrow. Stem cells are ideal for gene therapy because they appear to be immortal. Researchers have obtained stem cells from human bone marrow, but they are having difficulties getting genes into the cell as well as inducing the cells to produce many new blood cells (Anderson, 1995).

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