Chapter 26, Problem 1TC

Summary Introduction

To determine:

Some pros and cons of viral gene therapy.

Given:

Gene therapy is the process of replacing defective genes in a person's genetic makeup with healthy, corrected ones.

Introduction:

Gene therapy is the process of replacing defective genes in a person's genetic makeup with healthy, corrected ones. It has been proven effective in treating a wide variety of genetic diseases that are otherwise incurable. Many gene therapy clinical trials rely on retroviuses or adenoviruses to deliver the desired gene. Other viruses used as vectors include adeno-associated viruses, lentiviruses, pox viruses, alpha viruses, and herpes viruses. These viruses differ in how well they transfer genes to the cells they recognize and how are they able to infect, and whether they alter the cell’s DNA permanently or temporarily.