Gene Therapy

1. Gene Therapy By: Sofiya Jooma & Gigi Singh

2. Introduction • Gene Therapy is a scientifically based method of using a person’s genes to treat or cure a disease. • Did you know that Gene Therapy is becoming increasingly popular in medicine? (Hunt, Odle, 2006) • Gene Therapy can possibly prevent diseases. • It is hoped that Gene Therapy can be used to treat diseases such as cancer and AIDS. • There are some concerns that the immune system may attack cells treated by Gene Therapy. (Lyon, Gorner, 1995) • Gene Therapy was first used on humans in 1990.

3. Pros • Gene Therapy treats diseases. • It is possible that Gene Therapy can revolutionize medicine in the future. (Glausisuz, J. 1996). • The information of curing a genetic disease using Gene Therapy will help scientists determine the basis of many diseases • The abnormal gene could be repaired, and return to its normal function. • The regulation of the gene could be altered.

4. Cons • The immune system can respond differently, if the genes are, “fixed.” It is a potential risk. • Scientists haven’t yet identified every gene in the human body or what each does. So, it is possible that it can affect the other genes. • There are major difficulties inserting the normal genes into the proper cells, without causing problems for the rest of the body. • People might start taking advantage of Gene Therapy. For example, using them to make kids stronger, making them smarter, or increasing their skills in other areas.

5. Question #1 If you gave birth to a child who has a genetic disability, would you use Gene Therapy to cure that disease?

6. Question #2If your child/you wanted to make your child more athletic or smarter, by using Gene Therapy to help, would you use it then?

7. Question #3In the future, if medicines were to be less often used, and you could use Gene Therapy to help, would you use it to cure a fatal genetic disorder?

8. Question #4If it were a choice for you, would you use Gene Therapy for cosmetic enhancement? (Better eye vision, change in skin tone, etc.)

9. Question #5If you were a doctor skilled in the area of Gene Therapy, would you recommend a patient to use Gene Therapy to cure or help a genetic disorder, that may not be successful, or may have side effects?

10. Conclusion • Both the adults and students have similar opinions on Gene therapy. • They both chose to use gene therapy for the important things, such as using it to cure a genetic disorder (Questions 1 and 3). • Also, they both chose to not use gene therapy for things that were not necessary or important. • A handful of students and adults were not sure on many things. They would need to have a further knowledge of gene therapy, because gene therapy can be fatal or have side effects. • In the end, both the students and adults understand what the main purpose of gene therapy is, or whether or not you would use it.

11. Bibliography • Glausisuz,J.(1996).The genes of 1995. 1995: The Year in Science 17,36-38. Document URL: http://www.ndsu.edu/pubweb/~mcclean/plsc431/students/eric.htmm • Seligman,J.(1996).Hope for genetic healing. Newsweek,April 15,64. Document URL: http://www.ndsu.edu/pubweb/~mcclean/plsc431/students/eric.htmm • Blaese, R. Michael. "Gene therapy." World Book Advanced. World Book, 2011. Web.  18 Mar. 2011. Document URL: http://www.worldbookonline.com/advanced/article?id=ar219755&st=gene+therapy

12. …Continued Bibliography • Grohol, John M. August 31, 2009. • Bose, Debopriya. “Gene Therapy Pros and Cons.” Available at: E:\Websites For Info for Gene Therapy\Gene Therapy Pros and Cons.mht. March 28, 2010. Document URL: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/ethics-of-human-gene-therapy.html • "Gene Therapy." World of Genetics. Gale, 2010. Gale Science In Context. Web. 28 Mar. 2011.  Document URL:http://ic.galegroup.com/ic/scic/ReferenceDetailsPage/ReferenceDetailsWindow?displayGroupName=Reference&action=e&windowstate=normal&catId=GALE%7C00000000MUTW&documentId=GALE%7CCV2433500218&mode=view&userGroupName=nysl_li_shs&jsid=9936e074b83ded1db7d6646bd0fe55c1