Human genetic engineering is a concept thought up by innovative scientists with the hopes to better the world by manipulating human genes. Somatic cell gene therapy involves the cloning of genes and reintroducing them into cells, other than egg and sperm cells. The manipulation of genomes that take place in sperm and egg cells is known as germline gene therapy and would alter the traits that a child is born with. This type of change would be inheritable and can be passed from generation to generation. However, the biggest concern with genetic engineering is its safety. Due to the unpredictable nature of germline gene therapy errors or side effects to future generations, it is certainly serious enough to stop any consideration of germ line genetic therapy.
In modern-day research, many germline genetic modification tactics can introduce undesirable mutations that can lead to severe developmental consequences, even death (reference 1). From issues with multigene disorders to environmental hazards, there are a number of adverse side effects associated with germline gene therapy. (Figure what else to add to this paragraph)
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This can occur naturally and can make gene therapy more complicated than it already is. Depending on where the DNA is integrated, it could cause some major problems. For example, in a tumor suppressor gene, gene therapy could induce the tumor. There is evidence of this in the clinical trials for X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency (X-SCID) patients. In the article by Woods (2006), it explains how “hematopoietic stem cells were transduced with a corrective transgene using a retrovirus into patients with X-SCID, and this led to the development of T cell leukemia in 3 of 20 patients” (p.g 1123). (Maybe add a little