Genetic Disorders Have Plagued People For Ages

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

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).

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.

Hello, I am a grade 11 student from Victoria Park Collegiate Institute who has recently took a great interest in the topic of gene therapy. While it may have its disadvantages such as how it is not always successful and how some believe it to be “playing God” I believe that gene therapy should be continued and further researched since it can treat and potentially cure many genetic disorders, and because it is morally right since it helps those in need. Throughout this letter I will explain the topic of gene therapy and why I believe this type of treatment should be further researched by the Canadian government.

Geneticists learn from them which allows them to make advancements in gene therapy to better the lives of those with genetic diseases. More than 70,000 people around the world are suffering from a genetic disease called cystic fibrosis (Cystic Fibrosis, n.d.). Many more are also suffering from other incurable diseases caused by a single mutation. Somatic gene therapy, while risky, could treat these diseases and ease the suffering of those who have them. Germline gene therapy, on the other hand, remains an ethical issue. Some say that it could eliminate genetic diseases altogether for future generations while others say that it could cause more deadly and catastrophic problems for future generations. Nevertheless, it is vital for geneticists to continue to test gene therapy. It is a wonderful way for them to gather information to safely and effectively improve and extend the lives of the thousands suffering from a genetic

“In 2013, more than 43,000 adults and 5,000 children and teens will be diagnosed with [leukemia] in the United States” (“What you”). Leukemia is a cancer that affects an individual’s blood and bone marrow by making leukemia cells. Leukemia has many treatment options, but these treatment options are not guaranteed to completely cure cancer (“What you”). Doctors have been working diligently to find a cure for leukemia, and cancer in general. Some of these treatment options have included experimentation with gene therapy. Gene therapy is a treatment that goes to the source of the disease and helps correct the defective genes rather than treating the symptoms like traditional drug-based approaches (“What is”). Although gene therapy

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.

"We used to think that our fate was in our stars, but now we know that, in large measure, our fate is in our genes, "quotes James Watson. This fate that Watson is talking about is contained in our genes, and deals with a new technique, gene therapy. Gene therapy is revolutionizing the world of medicine. Many physicians are predicting that in twenty years gene therapy may change the practice of medicine from a treatment-based to a prevention-based practice. Our future is l ocked away inside of our genes. Gene therapy is unlocking these doors. Researchers are starting to move away from developing new drugs, and towards finding an ultimate solution. That solution is to use gene therapy as a

One of the biggest contributors to the development of the gene therapy approach within medicine was the completion of the Human Genome Project that gave scientists and doctors critical information about the nature of human genetics. It thus became possible to gain a better understanding the connection between certain genes and the development of diseases and disorders linked to them. However, despite the progress that has been made since the completion of the project, there remains a lot still unknown about the human genome and its intricacies. The next generation of medical treatments that will explore this genetic realm will be sophisticated to a level never seen before. The promise and potential that gene therapy has for

Gene therapy is a process involving the transplant of non-mutant, normal genes into cells, either in place of missing genes, or to essentially replace those genes which are not functioning properly, or not coding for properly functioning proteins, with the purpose of treatment and correction of a number of genetic disorders. This particular type of treatment technique is hoped to, in the future, be able to replace surgery, and a slew of different drugs in the treatment of a variety of diseases in humans caused by genetic defects. This seems to be a promising technique with the potential to redefine the way we approach treatment of many crippling diseases causing human suffering, however, the development of such a technique raises some questions. For one, what exactly is the mechanism of action utilized in such a technique, how is the functional gene translocated to the target cells, and once there, how is the new, functional gene integrated into the target cells in order to effectively “treat” the disorder. Another question is, what clinical diseases and disorders would this treatment be appropriate for, in addition, which disorders have been attempted to be treated with this technique already, and have there been any successes with this treatment technique. Finally, have any ill effects, short or long term, been observed in patients treated with this gene therapy technique? If so, what are they, are these effects irreversible, and have there been any studies into the

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

The transplantation of normal genes into cells in place of missing or defective in order to correct genetic disorders.