5.2.3 Gene Therapy explain the term gene therapy; explain the differences between somatic cell gene therapy and germ line cell gene therapy; discuss the ethical concerns raised by the genetic manipulation of animals (including humans), plants and microorganisms

Gene Therapy Using genetic technology to treat genetic disorders Getting a working copy of a gene into cells that contain dysfunctional copies of the gene

Somatic Cell Gene Therapy Certain genes switched on and off in differentiated cells Augmentation = adding functioning genes into the relevant specialised cells meaning that the protein can be made and the cell will function normally Killing Specific Cells = making cancer cells express genes producing proteins that make their cells vulnerable to attack by the immune system for targeted cancer treatments

Germline Gene Therapy Stem cells that could become any type of cell or a new human being Germline therapy is changing the genes of the first few cells meaning that the organisms is different Somatic cell therapy is changing genes on part of the body, however the disease can still be inherited as the gene still exists in every body cell and gametes Germline gene therapy is altering the organisms genes before development into a fetus, however this is illegal in humans because they say: New human disease could be created Human evolution would be interfered with Too many ethical and moral issues with changing a human genome

Issues Somatic Cell Gene Therapy Getting genes into target cells is tricky Treatment is short-lived and has to be repeated Difficult to get the gene functioning in the genome Only the actual patient affected Germline Gene Therapy More straightforward to deliver gene into cell All subsequent cells will have the functioning gene Considered unethical Genetic manipulation passed onto children- could be a good or bad thing

Xenotransplantation 60% transplant patients die on the transplant list We can now consider xenotransplantation= transplants from other species Pigs have been genetically engineered so they do not produce an enzyme involved in organ rejection Problems Different organ size Pigs only live to 15, so organs may age quickly Pigs body temperature is 39⁰C, our is 37⁰C Animal welfare groups think killing animals for organs is wrong Jews and Muslims cannot eat pork, so could not have transplants Possible disease transfer between animals and humans

Genetic Manipulation What is wrong with moving a gene from one organisms to another? Selective Breeding is unnatural? Media call food ‘Frankenfood’ but are not aware that we eat DNA all the time and think that it will become part of out DNA if we eat it... There were objections to the first vaccinations, the first organ transplant, IVF babies...