Gene Therapy Essay - 2620 Words

Gene Therapy I. Introduction With the human genome project now completed, identifying our DNA, the next step forward is being taken to analyze this information and apply it in a helpful context. As we discover which genes affect and trigger the different traits humans possess, new questions result pertaining to potential problems in our DNA as well as genetic enhancement opportunities. In theory, once a problem is pinpointed within a person’s DNA, there exists a possibility for correcting this defect. Gene therapy is a technique used for correcting defective genes responsible for disease development. This relatively new idea sparks much controversy when societal implications are examined. Bill Joy, chief scientist and†¦show more content†¦The former concentrates on treating the individual, while the latter aims to eliminate â€Å"bad† genes from the individual as well as their offspring. Somatic gene therapy up to this point has been used to treat rare, deadly, genetic diseases by the insertion of specific genes into human cells other than the cells directly used in reproduction. One problem is the method of insertion. The methods that transfer the new DNA to a defective cell are referred to as vectors. The most commonly used vectors are viruses, more specifically, adenoviruses or retroviruses ( Adams , 2004). Because of the viruses’ natural ability to get by the body’s immune system and introduce DNA into cells without being detected right away, researchers find them to be a particularly useful tool. First the virus must be stripped of its harmful properties and then forced to take up the corrective DNA. The remaining goal is successful delivery to many cells in order for replication as well as insertion into the correct place in the chromosome. Delivery can be categorized as ex vivo or in vivo. Ex vivo, the first delivery method used, removes cells from the body in order to modify and correct the DNA. Through the aid of a vector and after cell modification, the cells are transplanted back into the patient where they will replicate. Blood or liver cells are good candidates for this method (â€Å"Gene Therapy†, 2004). In vivoShow MoreRelatedGene Therapy And Germline Therapy1612 Words   |  7 PagesGood afternoon Mr David and class. 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 MoreHuman Gen e Therapy771 Words   |  3 PagesHuman gene therapy is essentially using DNA as a treatment for various genetic diseases. Most commonly, new and functional DNA is put within a vector which is then inserted into the patient. Gene therapy not only treats the problem but treats the genetic issues with a person’s DNA. The genes help to correct or replace the genes that were functioning incorrectly. Gene therapy helps by stopping a protein from functioning incorrectly, giving a protein a different function, giving the protein its normalRead MoreThe Discovery Of Gene Therapy1694 Words   |  7 Pagesnew information about genes and protein synthesis quickly followed (NLM, 2014). This new knowledge about genes made scientists look at the biological processes in new ways (Nobel Prize.org, 2014). 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 MoreThe Controversies Of Gene Therapy1729 Words   |  7 PagesThe Controversies of Gene Therapy Demolishing genetic diseases from the human race has been and always will be a key role in science. However, there comes a point in time when moral standards have interjected the betterment of cleansing genetic diseases. One of the many branches of science that has the complete capability to exterminate our destiny of any genetic diseases, gene therapy, is being silenced due to the curse of society’s moral standards. There is a very narrow line in what is not morallyRead More Gene Therapy Essay4691 Words   |  19 PagesGene Therapy Gene therapy is a powerful new technology that has the ability to change the way medicine is practiced in the future. The potential of gene therapy offers great hope for cure and alleviation of suffering from genetic disorders that now plague numerous people. Within this past decade, much research has been conducted to learn about the aspects of gene therapy, but there is still much to learn before it is an effective medical treatment. Despite failures to prove any clinical efficacyRead MoreA Study On Gene Therapy Essay1852 Words   |  8 PagesGene Therapy I first learned about gene therapy while watching an episode of Grey’s Anatomy. Over multiple episodes, Dr. Bailey is trying to cure a child’s lack of immunity with the use of gene therapy, and more specifically with the use of HIV as a gene transfer vector. To make the virus usable, Dr. Bailey disables the virus and uses it for a traveling mechanism. The parents were afraid that disabling the virus would fail, causing their child to be infected with the HIV virus, so they pulled theirRead MoreThe New Paradigm Gene Therapy965 Words   |  4 Pages Gene therapy, the experimental strategy that requires the use of genes to prevent and cure diseases is a fairly new technique, yet it is one which has shown steady advancements. The journal article â€Å"Gene therapy clinical trials worldwide to 2012—An update† sets out to present analysis and summaries of clinical trials that have been performed worldwide. Authors Samantha L. Ginn, Ian E. Alexander, Michael Ede lstein, Mohammad R. Abedi and Joanne Wixon dive into some of the 1843 gene therapy trialsRead MoreEssay on A Look at Gene Therapy1264 Words   |  6 PagesWould 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 ProjectRead MoreThe History Of Sytech And Gene Therapy1130 Words   |  5 PagesAll you need to know about Gene therapy Sytech- Curing the future The history of SyTech and Gene therapy Gene therapy was introduced in 1985 by SyTech and has been the main priority of the company ever since due to its promising future in science. One of the first human gene therapy procedures involved injecting the correct ADA gene to a four year old girl with the ADA deficiency. Due to the success of the procedure, the patient is now living a healthy life. The success marked an important landmarkRead MoreThe Therapeutic Potential of Gene Therapy1334 Words   |  6 PagesA novel therapeutic modality, gene therapy is the transfer of nucleic acids – DNA or RNA – into select somatic (body) cells to correct genetic defects or produce therapeutic proteins. It can be performed ex vivo (â€Å"out of the living†) or in vivo (â€Å"within the living†). In the ex vivo method, the target cells are removed from the patient, genetically modified, and reintroduced into the patients body. This approach is efficient but limited to easily accessible cells such as epithelia l cells (cells covering