Debate on Gene Therapy

852 Words2 Pages

Genes are made of DNA – the code of life (Gene Therapy- The Great Debate!). The changes in genes may cause serious problems, which we called genetic disorder. In theory, the only method to cure genetic disorders is gene therapy, which basically means the replacement of genes in order to correct the loss or change in people’s DNA. Although gene therapy gives patients with genetic disorders a permanent cure, it is controversial because it has safety and efficacy problems, and raises ethical issues.

Gene therapy enables patients to survive incurable diseases. In the field of genetic diseases, ADA-SCID, CGD and hemophilia are three main ones. ADA-SCID is known as the bubble boy disease. CGD is related to immune system that would lead to fungal infections which are fatal. Patients with Hemophilia are not able to induce bold bleeding (Gene therapy for diseases, 2011). Gene therapy also has good effects on cancer treatment and neurodegenerative diseases, which include Parkinson’s disease and Huntington’s disease. Viral infections, including influenza, HIV and hepatitis can also be treats by it (Gene therapy for diseases, 2011). According to the Science Daily in 2011, gene therapy now can apply to heart failures and neurologic diseases as well.

Gene therapy gives patients who born with diseases that are incurable to traditional medicine a permanent cure. If patients received germ-line therapy, which involves replacing disordered genes in sperms or eggs, their offspring would also have correct gene orders. The positive effect would influence the whole family.

However, the safety of gene therapy should be carefully considered. First, it may cause angiogenesis, which may trigger nonfunctional vessels or stimulation of angiogenesis in ...

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...anvalues/pdf/gene-therapy.pdf [Accessed 14 July 2011]

Bergeson, E. (1997) The Ethics of Gene Therapy [Online] Available at: http://www.ndsu.edu/pubweb/~mcclean/plsc431/students/bergeson.htm [Accessed 14 July 2011]

Safety Issues with Gene Therapy, (2011) [Online] Available at: http://scienceray.com/biology/safety-issues-with-gene-therapy/ [Accessed 14 July 2011]

Rocholl, B. Gene Therapy: Revolutionizing Medicine [Online] Available at: http://www.ndsu.edu/pubweb/~mcclean/plsc431/students/brandi.htm [Accessed 14 July 2011]

Safdar, M. (2010) Gene Therapy: Advantages and Disadvantages [Online] Available at: http://www.biotecharticles.com/Genetics-Article/Gene-Therapy-Advantages-and-Disadvantages-271.html [Accessed July 17 2011]

Gene Therapy for Diseases, [Online] Available at: http://www.asgct.org/about_gene_therapy/diseases.php [Accessed 21 August 2011]

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