Gene therapy is the most exciting advance in the field of modern medicine practice. Although yet in its infancy, it has shown promising results in some of the genetic disorders.
Therapeutic genetics involves insertion, modification, or removal of genes in an affected individual.
However, there are many ethical, social and legal issues associated with altering an individual’s specific genetic representation.
This makes the human genes modification therapy also the most controversial therapy.
Single gene mutations are the best candidates for gene replacement therapy, where the mutated nonfunctional gene in a cell is replaced by a normal gene through a vector.
The principle for the safety of gene induction therapy is that the hereditary information moves from genes to body cells (germline cells to somatic cells) and never in the reverse direction.
Any unintentional breach in this principle could jeopardise the safety by spreading to the testes/ovaries and therefore would infect the germline against the intentions of the therapy.
Ability to preserve stem cells and to culture them when needed has been a great breakthrough in regenerative medicine.
Stem cells have unique capacity for unlimited self renewal. They divide (mitosis) and form large number of well differentiated cells of our body.
This potential of stem cells is used to repair and replenish any damaged or missing cells of the body.
Controversies surround the use of embryonic stem cells. Moreover, their use can also lead to some undesirable side effects.
Embryonic Stem Cells
Potential for undesired development
Infinite life span
Legal controversies associated
Adult Stem Cells
Limited developmental potential
Better behaved and easy to manage
Lose the ability to proliferate after some time
Less moral binding
Less legal controversies
There use is less controversial and they have less negative side effects. Own stem cells can be preserved and used in time of necessity. Most successful medical therapies are done with autologous adult stem cells for example bone marrow transplant in Leukemia. They are available both in adults and children.
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Chrmosome and Genes
Modes of Gene Expression
Meiosis and Mitosis
Modes of Gene Expression
Single Gene Disorders
Types of Genetic Screening
Quadruple Screen Test
Chorionic villus sampling
Risk of Mosaicism: Why?
Possible Flaws in Diagnosis
Principle in safety
Germline modification therapy
Somatic cells gene therapy
Cons of Gene therapy
Embryonic and Adult Stem Cells
Application of Stem Cells