Gene Therapy the Danger of Enhancement Essay - 3916 Words

Gene Therapy: the Danger of Enhancement I. Introduction Gene therapy has the potential to revolutionize modern medicine. The techniques of gene therapy are still in their infancy as medical treatments and there are still many problems which must be solved before gene therapy will live up to its potential. However, it is very likely that gene therapy will become a reality at some point in the future and when that time comes, the ethical questions surrounding gene therapy will be pushed to the forefront of medicine. Science may find a way to reduce the risks associated with gene therapy but science alone cannot eliminate the serious ethical and societal risks which gene therapy brings to bear on the world. We need to put peoples†¦show more content†¦Currently, modified viruses, liposomes and bacteria are being employed as vectors for gene transfer with viruses being by far the most commonly used (Bonn, 1996). According to Craig Donegan, there are three basic methods of delivery: the ex vivo method transfers DNA to cells extracted f rom the patient and reinjects those cells, the in vivo method injects vectors into the bloodstream to seek and bind targeted cells, and the in situ method injects vectors directly into the affected tissue (1995). We currently group types of gene therapy by the nature of the cells which are affected and the goal of the therapy. Nelson Wivel, director of the Office of Recombinant DNA Activities at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and Georgetown University professor of philosophy and ethics Leroy Walters (1993) group types of gene therapy into three categories: type 1 is gene therapy which affects only non-reproductive or somatic cells, type 2 is gene therapy which involves gene transfer to reproductive or germ-line cells, types 3 and 4 are the use of somatic and germ-line modifications respectively to affect selected physical and mental characteristics with the aim of influencing physical appearance or abilities - enhancement therapy (p. 533). In the U.S., the Recombinant DNA Advisory Committee (RAC) at NIH oversees research and clinical trials of gene therapy. At present the RAC permits many somatic cell therapy trials but does not permit germ-lineShow MoreRelatedThe Ethics Of Genetic Engineering1639 Words   |  7 PagesGenetic engineering has to do with manipulating organisms and DNA to create body characteristics. The practice of genetic DNA has shown an increasing amount over the past years. The process of genetic enhancement involves manipulating organisms by using biotechnologies. The technique is by removing a DNA from one life form and transferring it to another set of traits or organism. Certain barriers are conquered, and the procedure involves changing a form of cells, resulting from an improvement orRead MoreGene Doping Essay1278 Words   |  6 PagesGene Doping is defined as using â€Å"Forbidden substances or methods to increase physical and or mental performance† (go.galegroup.com). Gene doping is banned from athletics, and very dangerous to use, mainly for the body. 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