What Is Gene Therapy?
Gene therapy is simply the use of DNA to treat diseases. The DNA is used to supplement, alter, or remove genes that are defective. It is most commonly used to replace a gene, but can also be used to create proteins for specific cells or to kill specific cells, such as cancer cells. With recent advances in technology and the completion of the human genome project, gene therapy holds massive implications for future medical treatments.
According to the CDC, seven of the ten leading causes of death in the United States were diseases that have strong genetic components to them. However, most medicinal drugs used at pharmacies and hospitals only treat symptoms. Very few drugs, if any, treat the underlying genetic factors behind the disease. Gene therapy allows us to address the genetic basis for these diseases. It has the potential to cure various ailments and to also lower an individual's susceptibility to developing these conditions in the future. Ideally, replacement of faulty or mutated genes in an individual's genome will cure the disease and prevent any relapse. As a result, gene therapy holds much promise for medicine because of its long term benefits.
Currently, gene therapy is utilized most in the agricultural industry. Genes are altered to create crops that grow faster, bigger, and more resistant to disease. From genetically enhanced corn to genetically modified strawberries, the majority of crops consumed by humans are now genetically modified organisms. Although the specific process of DNA modification in agriculture is different, the overall concept is the same as human gene therapy. The goal is for human gene therapy to become just as effective as agricultural gene therapy.
There is much ongoing gene therapy research at biotechnology companies and universities around the world. Although there is progress, much more research is needed to make this a viable option for patients. Huge obstacles still prevent any major progress, but within the next fifty years there will be countless breakthroughs in the field. If it becomes viable for medical use in the near future, it would revolutionize how medicine is used. Presently, all medical practices only manage symptoms or delay the onset of diseases. Gene therapy would treat the root cause of diseases, taking into account each individual's different set of genes and mutations within the genome. With the advent of rapid DNA sequencing technology, an individual's genome can be sequenced quickly and cheaply. After a specialist analyzes the genome, gene therapy would be used to target mutations specific to the individual. These technologies, in conjunction with gene therapy, will lead to personalized medicine for everyone around the world.
According to the CDC, seven of the ten leading causes of death in the United States were diseases that have strong genetic components to them. However, most medicinal drugs used at pharmacies and hospitals only treat symptoms. Very few drugs, if any, treat the underlying genetic factors behind the disease. Gene therapy allows us to address the genetic basis for these diseases. It has the potential to cure various ailments and to also lower an individual's susceptibility to developing these conditions in the future. Ideally, replacement of faulty or mutated genes in an individual's genome will cure the disease and prevent any relapse. As a result, gene therapy holds much promise for medicine because of its long term benefits.
Currently, gene therapy is utilized most in the agricultural industry. Genes are altered to create crops that grow faster, bigger, and more resistant to disease. From genetically enhanced corn to genetically modified strawberries, the majority of crops consumed by humans are now genetically modified organisms. Although the specific process of DNA modification in agriculture is different, the overall concept is the same as human gene therapy. The goal is for human gene therapy to become just as effective as agricultural gene therapy.
There is much ongoing gene therapy research at biotechnology companies and universities around the world. Although there is progress, much more research is needed to make this a viable option for patients. Huge obstacles still prevent any major progress, but within the next fifty years there will be countless breakthroughs in the field. If it becomes viable for medical use in the near future, it would revolutionize how medicine is used. Presently, all medical practices only manage symptoms or delay the onset of diseases. Gene therapy would treat the root cause of diseases, taking into account each individual's different set of genes and mutations within the genome. With the advent of rapid DNA sequencing technology, an individual's genome can be sequenced quickly and cheaply. After a specialist analyzes the genome, gene therapy would be used to target mutations specific to the individual. These technologies, in conjunction with gene therapy, will lead to personalized medicine for everyone around the world.