Should human gene therapy be continued, Biology

Assignment Help:

Debate over ethics of using gene therapy for treating human beings started since the discovery of recombinant DNA technology. The mere fact that it involves the alteration of DNA was a matter of concern for a large number of people who were against playing with nature (Sade and Khushf, 1998). This therapy comes with certain high end promises along with a few risk factors. However media had a strong role in exaggerating the negatives of gene therapy. Reports demonstrating that use of genetic vectors are associated with unwanted inflammatory responses and rejection of corrected cells by immune system has raised an alarm within the scientific community. This created a misconception that gene therapy is dangerous (Mavilio, 2010).

Slowly somatic gene therapy was accepted and considered to be an extension of normal medical treatment as a result of new research and clinical efficiency. Large numbers of inherited diseases, like retinal degeneration, SCID and adrenoleukodystrophy have been cured in the recent past using this therapy (Mavilio, 2010). In some cases this therapy made it possible to procure the normal treatment at affordable price. For example a patient suffering from SCID due to insufficient synthesis of ADA within body can be treated by drugs containing ADA. But this enzyme is costly and the addition of gene for ADA through gene therapy techniques is cost effective and provides a long term solution (Sade and Khushf, 1998).

However the ethical issues related to germ line theory are being debated to date. People who stand against gene therapy put forth the following arguments:

 


Related Discussions:- Should human gene therapy be continued

How do dioxins enter the human diet, Normal 0 false false f...

Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4

Indications for surgery, Indications for Surgery :  Patients with moderate...

Indications for Surgery :  Patients with moderate or severe tricuspid regurgitation that is functional will need tricuspid annuloplasty at the time of correction of mitral valve d

MACRO TAXONOMY, WHAT IS CHARACTER SELECTION CRITERI

WHAT IS CHARACTER SELECTION CRITERIA

Embryonic development, Embryonic Development The embryonic stage exte...

Embryonic Development The embryonic stage extends from the second week by the 8th week and is charactrised by formation of placenta, the development of internal organs and ap

Sketch cis-trans isomer of the first molecule, Please help with the followi...

Please help with the following: a) Draw a diagram (showing all the C and H atoms, and their bonds) for a hydrocarbon with 5 carbons with a double bond between carbons 2 and 3.

Investigation of aortic regurgitation by chest x–ray, Q. Investigation of a...

Q. Investigation of aortic regurgitation by Chest X–Ray? Left ventricular dilatation produces cardiomegaly on chest radiograph. Ascending aorta is often prominent. Egg shell ca

The difference between high and low c, How does brain recognize difference ...

How does brain recognize difference between high and low c and soft and loud sounds?

Causes of gerd, In addition, pregnancy or constipation may worsen GERD by i...

In addition, pregnancy or constipation may worsen GERD by increasing intra-abdominal pressure. Secondary causes of GERD include reflux caused by acid hypersecretory states, connec

Haploid production, Haploid Production The higher plants are normally ...

Haploid Production The higher plants are normally diploid, with two sets of chromosomes in their somatic cells. Their haploids (with one set of chromosomes) arise in nature by

Digestive system - stomach, STOMACH It is wide, J-shaped, placed obl...

STOMACH It is wide, J-shaped, placed obliquely on left side in upper abdominal cavity so left kidney is slightly down ward. It is 30 cm, long and 15 cm. wide. It has g

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd