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The Pros And Cons Of Gene Therapy

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In the United States today, Down Syndrome is the most frequent occurring chromosomal disorder; one in every 691 babies are born with this condition. A person with Down Syndrome has a full or partial extra copy of chromosome-21 (NDSS), resulting in mutations with phenotypic characteristics like slanted eyes, flattened head, and broad hands. There are many treatments and therapies that are able to help the needs of each patient because each individual has a different set of needs and problems. Although these treatments are supposed to make the patients’ lives easier, most develop other physical complications throughout their lives. One treatment in particular, gene therapy, has had success with patients who have other conditions. Gene therapy …show more content…

Since gene therapy is such a new and evolving study, there are many risks associated with the treatment. When the body is introduced to a new virus put in place by gene therapy, the body’s immune system may view them as intruders and attack them. If the immune system attacks these cells it could cause inflammation, and in severe cases, it could potentially cause organ failure. This is a very real possibility when patients with Down Syndrome are injected with viral vectors unfortunately, but with careful examination of the patients’ cells, organ failure could be prevented. Another risk that could potentially come along with these therapies is the possibility of causing a tumor if the new genes get placed in the wrong spot of the DNA inside the nucleus of the cells. With gene therapy regarding Down Syndrome, the possibility of a tumor forming could very well happen, although it would only happen if the new genes were put into the wrong place which would not happen at all if they were placed in the right place every time. One last major risk that could occur with gene therapy is the targeting of the wrong cells. If that were to happen, healthy cells could end up being altered when they should not be changed at all. These risks could potentially happen in gene therapy patients with Down Syndrome; however, scientists are working as hard as they can in order to fix any of these risks and stop them from happening. The possibility of curing the disorder and letting these people live longer and healthier lives is something that makes gene therapy worth the

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Marissa Mayer is the CEO of Yahoo Incorporated, the juggernaut technology company. Mayer receives both praise and ridicule not only for becoming the first female CEO of the said company, but for the groundbreaking decisions made since appointed to that position. Mayer made headline news in February of 2013, mere months after being appointed to head of the multinational corporation; she discontinued employees’ freedom to work from their own homes. The main reason for the change was her desire for all employees to work in close proximity to one another. “Mayer has said she wants Yahoo to move more quickly, with teams focusing on collaboration and communication.

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Green briefly touches on gene therapy that aims to cure diseases in an individual. He also considers the fact that this is therapy is particularly risky and dangerous, he holds strong with his idea that, “if the disease is serious enough […] it is usually worth trying.” (pg. 56). Green then moves onto the second ‘square’ of this chapter-germline gene therapy. Green goes much more deeply into this section, mostly because this subject often

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Even with the somatic gene therapy a person’s future child will likely not have these genes because they will not get passed on. The second gene therapy is called “Germ-line gene therapy.” Germ-line gene therapy will improve the genes in the egg or sperm cells. This will be passed on to the person’s future child because any changes made to the genes in the egg or sperm cells the future generation will have. However, only very limited research has been done with Germ-line gene therapy.

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“Recently developed techniques for modifying genes are often called “gene editing ("Human Genetic Modification | Center for Genetics and Society").” Genetic modification can be applied in two very different ways: “somatic genetic modification” and “germline genetic modification. Somatic genetic modification adds, cuts, or changes the genes in some of the cells of an existing person, typically to alleviate a medical condition. These gene therapy techniques are approaching clinical practice, but only for a few conditions, and at a very high

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Those who advocate designer babies claim the pros to be a smaller chance of genetic disorders and inherited diseases. They also promote the ability to choose the desired gender, traits, personality, genes, hair and eye color. Doctors are able to genetically modify embryos to reduce the risk of several disorders and diseases. Some genetic disorders that can be removed from the child 's genome include Alzheimer 's, Down Syndrome, Spinal Muscular Atrophy, and Huntington’s Disease. Using the same technology, doctors can make changes in the child 's personality, looks, intelligence, gender, and athletic

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In the deep eastern peninsula of Florida, there is a little “hot spot” known as Cocoa Beach. Right across from there is a another popular spot named Cape Canaveral. There are gigantic palm trees that tower over you and the red spanish roofing on all of the condos. Your toes being tickled by the plastic like grass under you. The little ponds surrounded by cattails and white herrings that stand still as if they are statues of the day.

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Human genetic modification is the manipulation of genes in human DNA so that defective genes don’t obstruct proper functioning, and so that inherited diseases are not passed on. Those against it may argue that genetic modification is simply unnecessary, immoral, or interferes with nature’s course. However, genetic modification overall is and will continue to be beneficial to the mental and physical health of the entire human species. Falling under the umbrella of biology, it is sensible to consider the studying of genes as a significant aspect of the biological sciences because it’s learning how to manipulate them in order to progress preventative medicine and create the possibility of a healthier future. One method of genetic modification

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As explained in the article, health is instrumentally valuable regardless of where one stands concerning moral theories, thus being healthy permits for one to live a good life. Conversely, disease hinders one from being able to lead a good life, as someone stricken with Alzheimer’s may not be able to recollect where they are; what is more, a person with Down Syndrome is limited in the number of lives they are able to follow. Genetic intervention may remove these limitations from one’s genes, so their offspring are able to live the best possible life they can strive for. Furthermore, I accept the argument proposed above since treatments and preventatives serve similar purposes as genetic enhancement, so to obstruct access to genetic enhancement is similar to preventing a mother’s child in need of medical attention from receiving such

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Therefore, if two parents are carriers of a certain gene that will disable their child, they can modify that gene to make a child that will not have that disability. As well as some parents will have designer babies to save another child they already have with a certain disease. In this method, parents will choose their child’s blood type and such in order for them to match that other diseased child and potentially give them their blood, marrow, and even organs. Genetically modifying a child’s chance of disease ensures that a child may live a life without potential disease and disability that they may have been more prone to had their parents’ not used this method. This also ensures a healthy life for a child that had a greater potential of having a medical condition due to their parents being carriers of that particular gene.

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For that reason, I believe it is important to learn about this upcoming breakthrough in the science and medical field. C. Speaker Credibility: As a Biology major I have learned about DNA and cells and taken my research to the next step by studying how genes work. I also conducted an interview with my biology lab teaching assistant to learn more about the process. D. Thesis: Learning about the promise of gene therapy is important because it could change the future of medicine forever, impacting our lives, our kids’ lives and so on. E. Preview of Main Points:

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Gene therapy is a relatively simple concept. A faulty or defective gene which does not function properly is replaced by a fully working

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A large number of gene-related diseases have been treated and even cured due to the advances in gene therapy. Within a short period of time, gene therapy has transferred from the conceptual stage of development to clinical trials that actually test patients of deadly diseases. Severe Combined Immune Deficiency is one deadly disease that scientist have began treating with gene therapy. Severe Combined Immune Deficiency, also known as ACA-SCID, is where affected individuals are born without an effective immune system. Investigators in Italy first found a cure or a long-term correction of the deadly genetic disorder.

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Gelsinger’s death was a tragedy in the world of science and exposed the nation to the harmful consequences of gene therapy and other genetic manipulations. “Such incidents suggest that the road ahead in treating major diseases - even with knowledge of the human genome - will be far from smooth” (Greenberg). Furthermore, his death reveals the many complications attributed to the many unknowns still present in experiments manipulating the properties of

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Also, gene editing can get rid of conditions in unborn children. A breakthrough gene editing tool, CRISPR, is allowing researchers to be more and more accurate when modifying genes. This new technology allows researchers to begin to edit embryos and edit the genes that will lead to illness and disease. Preexisting conditions such as hemophilia, thalassemia, Tay-Sachs disease, spinal muscular atrophy, and Duchenne’s muscular dystrophy can all be treated by gene therapy. Tay-Sachs disease and spinal muscular atrophy both affect the brain and spinal nerves and neurons.

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Gene editing is the alteration of a person’s genetic material to delete undesirable traits or to create desirable new ones. Scientists can identify a defective DNA strand to be cut out and changed, then they use a protein that acts like scissors to cut out the improper gene and cells, then a healthy strand of DNA is inserted at the cut site and enzymes repair it (Crow). The goal of gene editing is to treat genetic disorders. Gene editing could potentially decrease or even

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