Gene+Therapy

=__**Gene Therapy**__=

__**What is Gene Therapy?**__

Gene Therapy is the insertion, removal, or manipulation of genes in individual cell of a person to treat diseases in the body. In most cases, this is done in order to repair damaged Organ Tissue in the Human Body. (1)


 * __How is it done?-In Depth Explanation__ [[image:l_gene.therapy-ms.gif width="217" height="162"]]**


 * When performing Gene Therapy, damaged cells are removed from the patient's body in small quantities and grown in-vitro in a laboratory together with a genetic correction substances (sometimes harmless bacteria) that Genetically alter them and will transform them into healthy cells. Then, these cells are reintroduced into the person's body to replace the mutated (bad) cells and therefore, repair damage. **


 * In most cases of Gene Therapy, a healthy gene is inserted to the genome in order to replace a disease-causing gene. There are several methods through which the benevolent gene can be inserted in the given location: **

The most effective method is through the use of a carrier molecule known as a "vector". A vector is a genetically modified virus which is capable of carrying human DNA. These viruses may be Retroviruses, Adenoviruses, Adeno-associated viruses, and Herpes simplex viruses. In simpler terms, the Genetically Engineered DNA (Healthy) is mixed with a virus such as an Adenovirus and is inserted via IV (intravenous) to the patient. Then, the Healthy DNA will replace the Unhealthy DNA

The direct alternative to this technique is the direct introduction of genes. However, this requires a larger amount of DNA and can only be done in areas with certain tissue types. (This method is less complicated, yet it requires more time of in-vitro cultivation as more DNA is needed.

Finally, scientists are considering the addition of a 47th human-made chromosome into the targeted unhealthy cells. This entity would be entirely autonomous and unrestricted and would contain significant quantities of DNA material and genetic coding. This procedure, nevertheless, conveys a great series of challenges, as the insertion of a molecule that big would be complicated.(2)


 * __What can be treated by Gene Therapy?__**

-Low ammount of T-Cells (Immune System) -Cystic Fibrosis (Disease affecting the entire body) -Haemophilia (Uncontrollable bleeding-body does not coagulate blood) -Muscular Distrophy (Weakening of the muscles) -Sickle Cell Anemia (Blood disorder)

__**What effect has it had on Popular Culture?**__

Theme of many movies such as: -I am Legend- In which a mutated measles virus allegedly cures cancer. -Resident Evil series- The main plot is that of a corporation that produces Gen.Mod. cells fails to find a cure for a sickness and instead sends out a deadly virus.

As well, video games have build upon Gene Therapy: -Bioshock-A game in which the character injects himself with plasmid, which give him special abilities such as telekinesis -Metal Gear Solid- Soldiers use Gene Therapy to obtain superhuman abilities


 * __Why isn’t Gene Therapy so Popular?__**

Immune Response- When anything is inserted into the body, it will respond by stimulating the immune system. This causes the inserted genes to get destroyed before it can take action.(5)

Gene Therapy Stability- It is very important that the genes inserted survive long enough to take effect.

Most disorders are multi-gene and that means that it cannot be cured by replacing one gene. (5)

Cause the death of an 18 year old that was being tested for a specific gene therapy. (4)

__**Cures so far**__

Torpedo Cancer – Still being tested

Inherited Blindness – There have been tests that prove that a specific type of Gene Therapy can cure improve sight to those that have inherited blindness. This process worked on dogs and is being tested on humans. (4)

Lung Cancer – Research on human lung cancer tumors in mice showed that Gene Therapy largely reduced the amount and size of the tumors.

Low ammount of T-Cells (Immune System)

Cystic Fibrosis (Disease affecting the entire body)

Haemophilia (Uncontrollable bleeding-body does not coagulate blood)

Muscular Distrophy (Weakening of the muscles)

Sickle Cell Anemia (Blood disorder)

media type="youtube" key="EfXK50Bxod8?fs=1" height="385" width="480" __**Advantages:**__ Through Gene therapy, Inherited Blindness, Lung Cancer, Cystic Fibrosis, Haemophilia, Muscular Distrophy, Sickle Cell Anemia and damaged immune cells can be cured.-Torpedo cancer investigation is ongoing. Moreover, it can strengthen weak areas of the body that could lead to further medical issues. Virtually, with this process, any part of the body can be restored (rebuilt) and hopefully sometime in the near future will make things such as cancer and other serious illnesses will dissappear. In other words, it could serve as a cure for diseases that did not have one. As a result of all of this, people who now suffer from deadly conditions will no longer have to face the economic (by avoiding constant medical checkups and medicine) and social (being accepted in society as healthy human beings) issues they entitle now.

First, the extraction and artificial manipulation of genes might be considered somewhat of an ethical issue by many people as you are removing living material from a person and inserting it back subsequent to manipulation (manipulation might be seen as something negative-people sometimes think Gen.Mod. Scientists might not be completely trustworthy of performing a healthy alteration of the genes). Next, an economic disadvantage caused by Gene Therapy is the reduction of capital that an individual in need of Gene Therapy will experience due to the elevated cost of these Genetic Modifications. Gene Therapy, with further research and testing, could be utilized in the future to enhance the mental capacity of the user. For such, another aspect arises that could be classified as a social issue: Competition will initiate and those with the greater amount of Genetic Alterations will be prone to be the most successful-therefore, to obtain jobs, people would invest on their Gen. Mods. and in turn, would also imply an economic issue.
 * __Disadvantages:__**

__**For more information, visit the following sites:**__

1. [|Gene Therapy] 2. [|Human Genome Project] 3. [|Genetic Science Learning Center] 4. [|Scientific American] 5. [|Mayo Clinic] 6. [|Genetics Home Reference]