This presentation describes the various uses and ways that gene therapy can be used. So jump in find your hidden interest in science.

1. Gene Therapy
Matthew Handley
Javi Santiago

2. Introduction
Gene therapy is used to treat a disease by
taking out the mutated gene, replacing it, or
introducing a new gene to body.
It is promising for some disease including:
- inherited disorders
- some types of cancer
- and certain viral infections
The techniques are risky and still under study.
One major money contributor to gene therapy is
Michael J. Fox (Back To The Future).
He was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in his mid-20s.

3. How Does It Work?
A gene cannot be inserted directly in to a cell (it
will not function). So instead scientists use
another transporter called a vector. Certain
viruses are used as vectors by infecting the cell.
A vector can be injected or given by IV.

4. How Does It Work?

5. Why Is It Contreversial?
Because gene therapy is contreversial because involves making
changes to the body’s set of instructions, it raises ethical issues.
Here are some examples:
-How can the difference from good or bad uses of gene therapy be
distinguished?
-Who decides what traits are normal and what is a disability or disorder?
-Could the widespread use of gene therapy make society less accepting
of
people who are different (not using gene therapy)?
The only current type of gene therapy is for bone marrow and blood cells.
Types now in development are for the altering of sex cells. It is called
germline gene therapy. This may save a family from have a certain type of
disorder in the future, but it is unknown whether it will cause defects in the
fetus. The US government does not give funds for germline gene therapy
because of the ethical concerns.

6. Discussion
1. Is gene therapy ethical? And Why?
2. If your child has some sort of inherited disorder, would you
use gene therapy to fix the disorder?

7. Our Point of View
We both have mixed views on gene therapy. Javi thinks that it is ethical because
you are allowing a person to not live with the disorder they were born with.
Matt thinks that it is unethical because it is changing who you are and how God made
you .

8. References
All information came from Genetics Home
Reference.
A service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine®