Essay on A Look at Gene Therapy - 1264 Words

Would you consider altering your DNA if it could save your life? Scientist have been working on gene therapy since the 1970s, this biotechnological form of medicine is the attempt to medically modify cells to help eliminate or prevent diseases by correcting defective genes. Imagine the possibilities of having your DNA tested for heritable diseases and being able to eliminate such diseases from your future. From 1990-2003 the Department of Energy coordinated a project called the Human Genome Project, in which it asked, Why screen for individuals at increased risk for genetic diseases who do not exhibit symptoms? On the pro or benefit side, we want to reduce morbidity and mortality. The idea is, if we could find the disease early before†¦show more content†¦Somatic therapy is the method of gene therapy that can be used on existing human beings, as in it is the modification of genes and introducing them back into the body. According to the Genetics Public Policy Center, Somatic gene therapy has only been successful a few times during a clinical trial, in treating the X-chromosome linked severe combined immunodeficiency syndrome (X-SCID). The trial was somewhat unsuccessful for some of the children who participated, as they developed leukemia (dnapoicy.org). There was success with a 4 year old and 9 year old, who underwent the same procedure for SCID, and both are alive today. (McCain, 2005). Somatic therapy does not affect future generations because the modified genes are not passed on, as it does in germ-line therapy. The purpose of Human Germline Genetic Modification (HGGM) therapy is to permanently modify the genetic makeup of a gene, which would pass to future offspring. This could ultimately change the appearance of future generations and not just focus on curing diseases. There are no reports that HGGM therapy has been performed on humans. There are a lot of unknowns with this type of therapy regarding side effects and future development of the fetus, however; with the advancements in reproduction technologies and stem-cell research, scientist may be closer to being able to perform this type of therapy. As with anything new and controversial there areShow MoreRelatedThe Future Of Unregulated Germ Line Gene Therapy1373 Words   |  6 Pagesback from your procedure to alter your genes for brown hair and green eyes because you didn t want to pass them on to your chi ld. Everyone is saying that having brown hair and green eyes is unattractive now and they re unwanted traits for future generations. Three months later the â€Å"fad† changes and people begin to think that having green eyes won t be so bad after all and that they re actually unique. Now you re left with passing on the Version 1.0 gene pool to your children while everyone elseRead MoreUsing Gene Therapy1211 Words   |  5 PagesGene 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 beRead MoreIs It Right Or Wrong? Essay1611 Words   |   7 Pages With the world of technology making advances so quickly we sometimes forget our own limits as a mortal species. Genetic therapy has the potential to save millions of people from genetic mutations and protein deficiencies. 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Today the topic of gene therapy will be discussed, so to begin, what is gene therapy? Basically, gene therapy is the modification of genes to alter a certain characteristic that ultimately can cure a genetic disease. There are two types of gene therapy: somatic gene therapy and germline gene therapy. Somatic gene therapy is when blood cells are extracted from a person and a normal gene is then inserted into the defective cell. This does not prevent the disease fromRead More Ethics of Genocide and Eugenics Essay1407 Words   |  6 PagesGene Therapy: Genocide and Eugenics or Striving for a More Perfect Population Controversy and Ethics 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. 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One of the biggest breakthroughs was the development Gene Therapy. This paper will demonstrate how Gene Therapy is an important step in revolutionizing medicine and treating disease. It is believed that Gene Therapy holds the key to permanently curing disease. Gene Therapy Researchers haveRead MoreErfect Humans. WhatS So Great About Genetically Modified1175 Words   |  5 Pagesalter human DNA and genes to help prevent diseases genetically. Some of the conditions that can be addressed when a human is genetically modified are, it can edit the human DNA and take out the gene that gets us sick. For example HIV, Sickle Cell Anemia, some forms of genetic blindnesses. All of these would be just be fixed on the embryos, and they would have no ethical issues because they only affect the adult s primary cells( Lauren F Friedman). A step to making gene therapy more popular. 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