Gene Therapy

Should the government allow gene therapy?

What is Gene therapy?

Gene therapy is an experimental technique that uses genes to treat or prevent disease. for example, in the future this technique may allow doctors to treat a disorder by inserting a gene into a patient's cells instead of using drugs or surgery. So it will save time and eliminate the risks of going wrong compared to a surgery

Should the government allow this? 
keep in mid some of the pro's and con's to this breakthrough in science
Pros-

• Eradicate Disease:Furthermore, targeting reproductive cells can get rid of such defects for good. People with genetic disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, Huntington’s disease and Parkinson’s disease are among those who require gene therapy.
• Replace Defective Cells
  Humans have always been prone to variety of diseases; as one cure is discovered, another disease emerges. We are constantly attacked by newer, more dangerous and vituperative types of germs and pathogens. Although many of such diseases can be treated or cured medically, there is no cure for genetic disorders unless defective cells are replaced by proper ones which is what gene therapy does. 

Cons-

• Damage Gene Pool
  If gene therapy was performed to a certain degree, it possibly could permanently change the human gene pool. Another thing would also be—this treatment therapy may possibly be for the rich only, and could make the rich more richer and the poor more poorer, indefinitely.
• Modify Human Capabilities
  One con of gene therapy is that it may be used to enhance and modify human capabilities. If this was feasible, standards for normal human life would be altered for good. Even if certain countries experimented with this form of therapy, they could create unstoppable armies much like in those movies we’ve seen on the big screen.
• Rise in Disorders
  While the most common choice as a vector, using the virus for such a purpose is not guaranteed. There’s an exact point in the host genome where the right should be brought in and there are no assurance that the viral enzyme responsible for this step will be able to bring in the right genes at the exact point in the host genome. If there’s an error in the process, the results could be bring about severe disorders. In addition, the body may destroy the vector perceiving that it is a foreign body. 

What do you think?

Please give us your honest opinion if we should be able to use this technology.Please give us your feedback in the comments below




sources - https://www.ndsu.edu/pubweb/~mcclean/plsc431/students/eric.htm