Cody DeLong

What is Gene Therapy? Gene therapy, also known as somatic gene therapy or therapeutic gene therapy, is the process of entering or sometimes taking out portions of genes in diseased patients to help them live healthier lives.

Methods of Gene Therapy There are two main methods of gene therapy, in vivo and ex vivo. The in vivo method inserts genetically altered genes directly into the patient. The ex vivo method removes tissue from the patient, extracts the cells in question, and genetically alters them before returning them to the patient.

Pros Cons Can save a patient’s life Cancer treatments Could treat hereditary blindness Some believe it is playing God Could alter evolution Human error Immune system could not recognize gene Patients would have to undergo a lot of treatments in the “S” phase

Public Opinion "Medicine has been waiting for this for thousands of years. This is a truly historic moment," said Gerard J. Garrity People polled have shown approximately a 50/50 split for and against gene therapy. No one denies that gene therapy will give miracles to patients, but people are growing more concerned.

Is it Ethical? Eight years ago, 75 religious leaders spoke about permanently banning gene therapy. People believe altering your body God gave you is sinful and wrong. Ones who argue say it is using human knowledge to help patients.

Bibliography http://singularityhub.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/bubble-boy-disease-gene-therapy.jpg http://library.thinkquest.org/28599/gene_therapy.htm http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/sci/A0820466.html http://www.ndsu.edu/pubweb/~mcclean/plsc431/students/bergeson.htm http://factoidz.com/gene-therapy-analysis-along-with-pros-and-cons/ http://www.serpholicmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/genes.jpg http://blog.bioethics.net/suicide-genes-l.jpg