| Gene therapy is the process of correcting | | | | body and replace a specific gene. This is the most |
| defective genes that cause diseases. This type of | | | | commonly used method of gene therapy. The |
| therapy is still in the early stages. No gene | | | | next option is replacing a damaged gene through |
| therapy products have been approved by the | | | | a process called homologous recombination. This |
| Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for legal sale. | | | | process involves knocking out one gene by |
| Gene therapy trials continue, but the success rate | | | | disrupting its function, and then replace it with one |
| has not been very high, which is most of the | | | | that works properly and has the correct genetic |
| reason why the FDA will not yet approve it. | | | | coding. |
| The first gene therapy trial took place in 1990, | | | | Abnormal genes can be repaired by selective |
| depending on volunteers to take parting the trial. | | | | reverse mutation. This involves selecting particular |
| In 1999, the therapy was thrust into the negative | | | | genes and processing them back to their original |
| spotlight when a 18 year old died of organ failure | | | | form. The last option is simply to keep a gene, |
| just 4 days after starting treatment. His death | | | | but alter it to meet the specifications. |
| was the result of a severe immune system | | | | Ethical issues regarding gene therapy continue to |
| reaction to the trial drug. Trials continued until | | | | fuel. The biggest question is what a disability is, |
| 2003, when the FSA banned the use of retroviral | | | | what is normal, and who gets to decide the |
| vectors in blood stem cells. This decision was | | | | criteria. Cost is another big issue. Such therapy is |
| made on the basis of at least 2 people in the trial | | | | very expensive and it is debated who will pay for |
| developing a condition similar to leukemia. While | | | | it. As the technology in the area of genes |
| both individuals were successfully treated for it, | | | | continues, gene therapy may or may not become |
| trials on humans have not occurred since. | | | | a reality for those with disabilities and illnesses |
| There are several ways gene therapy is done. A | | | | linked to ineffective genes. |
| normal gene can be inserted into a location in the | | | | |