The Uses Of 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).

Gene therapy: Is a treatment method that involves the manipulation of an individual's genetic makeup. A form of therapy that attempts to fix the defective gene which is causing the disease.

Some people may wonder what gene therapy is. Gene therapy is the replacing of defective or missing genes with normal genes in order to cure the disorder. In the future, this technique may be used to prevent or treat a disorder by inserting

Gene therapy is the insertion of normal or genetically altered genes into cells to replace defective genes. The gene is usually inserted into

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

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 an experimental medical procedure that uses the genes in our bodies to either treat or prevent disease by introducing new genetic material into human cells (ie. cancer cells) to create the necessary proteins that allows the cell become healthy (SOURCE). Gene therapy can also be used as an alternative to other medical disorders rather than having a surgical procedure done or using drugs such as chemotherapy. For example, Joseph Panno, research

Gene therapy is an experimental form of treatment, where normal genes are placed into missing or defective ones in order to correct or alter genetic disorders. In other terms, it is the therapeutic delivery of nucleic acid polymers into a patient 's cells as a drug to treat disease (Gennady, 2015). After many attempts at modifying human DNA by nuclear gene transfer as well as insertion of human DNA in the nuclear genome, the first successful gene therapy was in 1990 where it was used to cure four-year-old Ashanti DaSilva who had Severe Combined Immune Deficiency (IDF 2013 National Conference). Since then gene therapy has been used to cure and treat serious diseases such as Chronic Granulomatus Disorder, Hemophilia, and a wide variety of Cancers, and other genetic and acquired diseases (American Society of GENE & CELL THERAPHY, online).

How gene therapy is being studied today and what contributions it is making to science

Gene therapy is a technique that uses new genes to treat or prevent disease by replacing or adding new effective genes. This technique is aimed to allow doctors to treat genetic disorders without the prescribing drugs or scheduling surgery to correct the disorder. Gene therapy isn’t a fully effective method as of today. It is still undergoing tests. Several of the most common tests include introducing a new gene into the body to fight against a disease or disorder, replacing a mutated gene with a healthy gene, and removing a mutated gene in the body that is not functioning as it should be. Gene therapy is seen to be a fair treatment to diseases or disorders that have no other form of cure. It is sometimes used for inherited disorders, certain viral infections, and certain cancers. But Gene Therapy is not a certain option for treatment as of today. It is still under study as success rates are low. Genetic disorders affect one out ten people. Symptoms vary with each disease or disorder as some can appear early in a person’s life, while others appear at an older age. Genetic disorders cannot be prevented as they are passed on through a family’s genes and is within the DNA unlike a regular disease is caused by bacteria or a virus. There are two possible ways a genetic disorder can be passed on to the offspring, or child. One way is caused by dominant genes in which only one gene is altered resulting in the disorder or disease. The second way is caused by recessive genes in

Within everybody there are thousands of genes that determine who people are, what they look like, and how their body functions. When one is conceived, every one of the genes that make up who they will be are laid out within their DNA in a certain sequence. When these genes create an error, it can create genetic diseases such as sickle cell, cystic fibrosis, and sometimes cancer. Before, those diagnosed with these genetic diseases seemed to have no cure in sight. Now, with gene therapy they have hope. Gene therapy is the process of

Gene therapy is intriguing to discuss and research because it’s untapped potential that it has and the ability it has to cure and eradicate countless genetic disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and even cancer! It also has endless possibilities that it could contribute to the health industry. How far gene therapy has come and how far science has come, for this to even be possible is

Researchers have been trying to find new ways to cure disease for centuries. Gene Therapy

Gene therapy is a technique that uses genes as medicine to treat or prevent disease. The technique may be used to replace a defective gene for a healthy gene or use a new gene to favorably change the condition of the faulty gene [1]. There are several problems that challenge gene therapy, the certain condition or disease in question must be well understood, the defective gene must be identified and a working copy of the gene must be available, and the most problematic is effectively delivering working copies of the gene to the cells. The DNA delivery vehicles used in gene therapy are called vectors. There is no omnipotent vector that can treat every disorder. Every gene therapy vector must be customized to address the unique features of the disorder [3].

Currently there is no known cure for genetic disorders. We can only treat the symptoms. However, gene therapy is the new potential breakthrough in the fight against genetic disorders and diseases that gives hope for those who presently suffer from genetic disorders. Researchers and scientists are currently studying how and when to use gene therapy.