The Risks of 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).

Gene therapy provides many benefits to the patients who undergo it. Biotechnologists believe that a genetic disease can be removed with this treatment. For example, on the U.S. National Library of Medicine website, it states, “Researchers are testing several approaches to gene therapy, including: Replacing a mutated gene that causes disease with a healthy copy of the gene. Inactivating, or ‘knocking out,’ a mutated gene that

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.

I believe that gene therapy is ethical since it helps those who are suffering from a genetic disorder. Many people who suffer from genetic disorders usually have a lower life span than those who do not and are usually suffering from pain/disabilities due to the genetic disorder. In The BIble there are many instances where God heals those who are sick, the treatment of gene therapy is no different. If doctors are doing what God has been in The Bible why is it immoral? Many genetic disorders have no cure to them and other types of treatment may be ineffective or slightly effective at most. Further research into gene therapy can potentially find a cure to genetic disorders like cystic fibrosis, hemophilia, sickle cell amelia and certain cancers like leukemia and lung cancer. Using gene therapy we able to actually treat and potentially cure genetic disorders since gene therapy corrects the root of the problem; the genes rather than using ineffective treatments or no treatment at all. Some may also say that modifying the gametes of a person is wrong since the kid has no consent whether they chose to receive gene therapy or not, I believe that it is better to apply gene therapy to gametes since it prevents future generations from suffering from the genetic disorder as a whole and it is almost certain the kid will be more thankful not being born with a genetic disorder.

Genes are what makes Elizabeth, with her unique physical traits, skin, eye, and hair color, even the texture of her hair. Genes also determine many other things such as if babies are going to be male or female also determining the likelihood of humans contacting a certain disease. Gene therapy is the introduction of genes into existing cells; it’s a new way to cure a wide range of dangerous diseases.

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

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

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 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

A majority of Americans favor gene therapy for use among patients with serious diseases; but oppose gene editing of unborn babies. Gene therapy does have the potential of being effective medicine for serious diseases. Physicians have already started to perform gene therapy trials; some have been successful, some have not. As G. Burningham says in Newsweek , “We are about to be able to fix some of the worst problems that can happen to people.” Diseases like cystic fibrosis, sickle cell anemia, and alzheimer's disease. Gene therapy has the possibility and potential to someday be able to cure possible genetic diseases or cure disabilities. Gene therapy will become the medicine of the 21st century. Because of gene therapy, genetic can be used for good for medical purposes. One of the ways gene therapy will eventually be effective is through stem cell

Gene Therapy is an experimental form of treatment that aims to get rid of genetic conditions at their source. It also may be used to replace a faulty gene with a working version or introduce a new gene to cure a condition or modify its effects. ( Victoria State Government, 2011) It is designed to introduce genetic material into cells to compensate for abnormal genes or to create a beneficial protein within the gene. If a mutated or incomplete gene creates a protein needed that is faulty or not present, gene therapy has the ability to introduce a copy of that specific gene to restore the function of the protein within that gene.

Genes contain the DNA of a human being. Genes control physical traits such as height, eye color and skin tone, they control the body’s way of functioning, and they also regulate the body. When genes don’t work properly they can additionally cause diseases (Gene Therapy). Some diseases that are treated with gene therapy are cancer, AIDS, cystic fibrosis, hemophilia,

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.

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