Pro Drug Gene Therapy

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).

Thousands of U.S. patients have been treated with various kinds of gene therapy, an experimental technique in which doctors use live viruses and other means to transport potentially therapeutic genes into the body just as Gelsinger was. Gelsinger suffered from Ornithine Transcarbamylase (OTC) deficiency, a genetic disorder that affects mostly boys. The disease blocks the body's ability to break down ammonia, a normal byproduct of metabolism, and often causes death soon after birth. As a result the FDA initiated proceeding that could have prevented the University of Pennsylvania gene therapy researcher, James Wilson, from testing experimental drugs or products on human subjects in this country. He repeatedly or deliberately violated regulations governing the proper conduct of clinical studies. How many people can say that they would want someone they trusted to perform a procedure that ultimately takes the research into his or her own hands and may result in death? It stirs up not only ethical issues but issues such as prejudice and discrimination. Hypothetically say there are some doctors who will decide to take a risk with your gene therapy and either add or remove something experimental. What would be the purpose of the FDA placing the guidelines that they have for gene therapy there in the first place? Research doctors are the professionals expected to do everything according to set standards and guidelines

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

Imagine the possibility of eliminating serious genetic diseases from the world. Imagine the idea of treating, preventing or even curing diseases that are yet to be cured. Imagine the feeling of being given improved health and a prolonged lifespan. This can all be accomplished with the aide of genetic engineering. Human genetic engineering refers to the process of directly manipulating human DNA to produce wanted results. DNA is a simple but very complex chemical that has the power to change the world and has begun to do so already. Many opponents to gene therapy fail to realize that genetic engineering has great potential to become very important in the biomedical industry. Though controversy exists regarding the ethics of human genetic engineering, it can produce numerous benefits, which outweigh its disadvantages and side effects; therefore, scientists should be able to manipulate the human genome for the purpose of helping people with serious medical conditions.

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.

Now there are some people that are strongly against this.There are many people that believe scientist are ‘playing God’ by changing the gene of people.But genetically engineering isn't just for modifying humans but also for curing some disease.It's called gene therapy and it had cured some disease for example Cancer, Aids and much more.It’s better for us to act than to not act at

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

Gene therapy is not socially right because by performing this treatment, you are going against the charter of rights and freedom. In the constitution Act, one of the rules listed is “Every individual is equal before and under the law and has the right to the equal protection and equal benefit of the law without discrimination and, in particular, without discrimination based on race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, sex, age or mental or physical disability” (Constitution, 1982). Those who want to prevent any disorders that could lessen their child’s intellectual or physical ability are being discriminatory towards those who have the same disorder but were not treated prior to their birth. This method of treatment is also morally wrong because scientists would be changing the code of life. Scientists are disrupting the human systems by inserting genes and changing what the future would be like. Those who are religious argue that scientists are going against God’s will and the life He gave to the children. If this treatment persists, it would strain the economy because the process is extremely expensive. It would also cost a lot of money for the parents who want their children to be treated. Since this treatment is so expensive, those who are not doing well financially would not be able to get the treatment. If this treatment becomes official, many of those who work in the medical field or

There have been multiple setbacks in this technology. Some immediate side effects is that the body thinks that the virus inserting the healthy gene is a virus and tries to fight it. A severe response to the virus could lead to the death of the individual. Another major side effect in the long run is the development of other diseases. There have been multiple reports of operations that have gone successful, but in a few years that patient developing diseases like leukemia and most of the patients died. Right now there are probably more negative effects to gene therapy and more research would need to be developed to ensure that the likelihood of death is not so high. More research and operations on animals would have to be done to ensure it is safe on

Gene therapy is legal in the U.S. but all of its experiments and equipment are under close examination by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), the Office for Human Research Protections (OHRP) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Although gene therapy is not illegal in the U.S. some federal laws have placed restrictions on funding and use, under Congress's power to spend. It is banned in many countries but mainly for strong ethical views scientists, doctors, priests, and the common people hold.

Moreover, Positive aspects of gene therapy are apparent as it can give many peoples a new life. It can reduce the stress on future parents as they do not have to think or worry about having a child with disabilities they can have a normal child because gene therapy can wipe out genetic disease before they can begin and eliminate suffering for future generations; it is also good technique for diseases that are not searched yet because each of us caries about half a dozen defective genes, however we remain ignorant to this fact unless we are among the millions of people who have a genetic disorder; about one in ten people has or will develop some time later in life an inherited genetic abnormality. It and can also silence a gene in the case

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,

seems to hold the key to make this a reality. Gene Therapy is still in its early stages and is still