Argumentative Essay On Gene Therapy

Gene therapy has been studied as a potential treatment for genetic disease since the 1980s. The goal of gene therapy is to help correct genetic disease by providing a functioning copy of the gene to make up for the genetic defect. In the laboratory a functioning copy of the gene is packaged into a lentiviral vector, this is a modified virus that acts as a transport vehicle for the functioning gene. The lentiviral vector delivers the functioning copy of the gene into stem cells taken from the individual. The gene is then inserted inside the DNA of these cells. In recent years scientist have made improvements in these vectors and continue to study gene therapy as a treatment for many different diseases including cancers, blood diseases, central nervous system disorders, and immune system diseases
Gene therapy is a controversial subject sounds easy treatment. In many of ways it is, on a broader spectrum, but in your cells, it can be a little invasive. In gene therapy, doctors are basically editing the DNA content of a living organisms. Using vectors, which are genetically engineered retro-viruses; ironically, used for infecting human cells. The retrovirus is a DNA used to reconstruct mutation and make it function appropriately. It was first used on a young girl named, Ashanti DeSilva in 1990 …show more content…
A few people were born with leukodystrophy which causes a messed up immune system as well as brain disorders, this is was usually detected in the smaller crowd, children who have it usually do not live for very long. Bone marrow contains stem cells, the cells that usually create red blood cells but they can be recreated using gene. Taking bone marrow from the doctors of theses patients were able to fight the cells with the retrovirus and replace the mutated gene with new and improved one. Then injected the new gene back into the patient and having cells multiplied, curing the