Gene Therapy: the Danger of Enhancement Essay

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

Gene therapy is defined as the medical replacement of defective genes in living human cells; its aim is to replace the activity of a defective gene by activating a dormant gene which has a similar function (Wheale & McNally, 212). Under gene therapy comes the politically controversial Human Genome Project, a fifteen-year, $3 billion federally-funded biology program. The goal of the project is to isolate the defective gene on the chromosomes which comprise the human genome (Fletcher, 2). In this manner, the Human Genome Project may be able to rid the cancer-ridden genes from human DNA, thereby curing cancer permanently. The project has been the focus of much scientific and political controversy over the past few years for its possible ramifications are extensive to all of human existence.

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).

In 1993 a pamphlet by National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute was released heralding Gene Therapy. Although gene testing had been around and used for various procedures and breakthroughs, gene therapy had the potential to change the face of research, as we knew it. Medical scientists had finally found a way to

Gene therapy is a relatively new technology that has shown some promising results. Such as the drug called Strimvelis that is used to help children with severe combined immunodeficiency, a disease that leaves infants with little to no protection against viruses, bacteria, fungi, and other potentially harmful things. It appears to be a cure carried out through a genetic pair. Strimvelis was tested on 18 children, starting 15 years ago, all of whom are still alive today. Gene therapy is used to inject genes into a person’s cells and tissues in order to treat a disease, as well as hereditary diseases where an abnormal allele is replaced with a fully functional allele. The carrier, called a vector, is used to transport the normal gene to the target cells. The most common type of vector are viruses that have been genetically altered to carry human DNA. Scientists have been trying to control the way the viruses have evolved encapsulating and delivering their genes to normal cells in a pathogenic way by manipulating the viral genome to remove disease-causing genes and inserting healthy ones. Theoretically, it is possible to transform either the cells of the body (somatic) or the cells of the sperm, ova, and their precursors (germline). All of the gene therapy experiments so far on humans have been directed to somatic cells, because germline experiments have been remaining controversial. Somatic gene therapy is split into two broad categories: ex vivo (cells are modified outside of the body then returned back again) or in vivo (genes are changed in cells while still located inside of the

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”).

Genetic disorders have plagued people for ages. However, recent research and new discoveries in gene therapy has brought new hope to those unfortunate individuals that are ailed by their own genetics. Gene therapy is a technique of correcting defective gene sequences specifically responsible for the disease. In 1990, the first successful clinical trial of gene therapy was initiated for adenosine deaminase deficiency (GT). Since then, the number of clinical treatments induced worldwide has increased exponentially. Gene therapies have been a part of modern medicine for almost two decades now. Only recently have scientists started to deliver on their immense promise after a string of setbacks raised doubts about the safety of manipulating human DNA. The idea of gene therapy has been around for a while, but it wasn’t until recently that this field of molecular biology has come more into the light with its advancements over time. Experimentation has been an ongoing process with gene therapy. Although, ethical issues of controversy have surrounded this topic since the beginning. But new facts on gene therapy continues to rebuttal most controversy.

Medical research and discoveries have rapidly expanded in the past decade due to the advancement of technology. Genetic alterations are just one of the many discoveries made by scientists in 1973. Some people argue that genetic engineering is wrong and shouldn’t be legal, but some people think that this is a good idea and should be practiced. Genetic alterations should be accepted by society because they enhance characteristics, prevent diseases from spreading, and can give people things they never had or had the chance of getting.

On September 17th, 1999, an eighteen year old, Jesse Gelsinger, died as a result of him volunteering for a gene therapy experiment. He became the first known human victim of this kind of technology. Gelsinger’s experience illuminated import elements in the gene therapy that should have made government agencies, scientists, and the public take the note to want to regulate and oversee this technology seriously.

Because gene therapy involves changing the human body, it comes with its set of ethical concerns, which are not answered fully nor so rapidly. Until such scientific and technological advancements, people dealt with their genetic inequality (if faced with one) as their reality, as part of their life until they died. But with the advent of gene therapy, people may have a choice to deal with their genetic inequalities, even though it may not threaten their health or way of life. Dealing with genetic inequalities that are not dangerous to a person’s health follows a eugenic aura. It questions the normality of a person and categorizes genetic inequalities as disabilities. Also, it treats the latter as diseases needed to be cured and/or prevented.

Despite the promise of such approaches, a number of difficulties remain to be overcome, the most important of which is the need for more efficient systems of gene delivery. No gene transfer system is 100% efficient, unless germ-line therapy is contemplated. During the past two decades, there have been major advances in our understanding of how cancer develops, proving that cancer has a genetic basis (2). A series of genetic abnormalities that accumulate in one cell may result in a pattern of abnormal clonal proliferation. Our growing understanding of the genetic basis of cancer offers new opportunities for the molecular prevention and treatment of cancer. There has been a

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).

Gene is a relatively new but rapidly developing way to treat or cure people of certain diseases. Instead of using a drug or surgery to cure or treat someone they are using gene therapy as a way to insert a gene into the patients cells. If this technique works then it can be an amazing option for someone with a disease with otherwise no cure. Along with this new technique come many risks and dangers that question the ethics involved in doing this. Even though it is only still being tested it can be seen as a promising treatment option for many people.

Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “to be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” While his quote offers a typical accepted cliche seen throughout modern day society, new advancements of science might be proving otherwise. Gene therapy is a new technique that allows physicians to alter one’s genetic code, effectively treating and preventing disease. Though still in an experimental stage, gene therapy has been successful in treating a variety of diseases including cancer and neurodegenerative disorders. The benefits of gene therapy are clear to the scientific community, while the limits to place on the practice are ambiguous. Specialists in the field are trying to decide how far

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