Conceptualized in 1972 and attempted in 1980, gene therapy has been considered a promising technique to treat diseases but also been regarded as a risky experimentation. If successful, this will be a medical breakthrough to cure most of the medical conditions that are not incurable or have unknown origins. The latest news about this treatment is that doctors will be using optogenetics or light treatments combined with gene therapy to allow a blind woman with degenerative retina disease to somehow have some of her vision restored. Also, there has been a publication of preclinical data about Huntington’s Disease Gene Therapy Program. Thousands of clinical trials have been conducted for years now to see the effectiveness of this type of therapy.
Gene therapy is a technique that is both therapeutic and experimental applied to the cells of a patient for the treatment of diseases. This has something to do with replacing defective genes with genetically altered genes. Despite its origin dating back in the late 1970s the controversy behind this experimentation still remains, with proponents and opponents emphasizing their points.
List of Pros of Gene Therapy
1. Extent of Effect
Advocates for gene therapy say that the effects of gene therapy are promising because it has the potential to cure many types to diseases, from Huntington’s disease to Cystic Fibrosis. Moreover, people of all ages can benefit from it. This makes this experimentation versatile as opposed to other treatment options like antibiotics which can only treat bacteria and chemotherapy that can also destroy the good cells in the body and is not capable to treat the outbreak of influenza
2. Prolongs Life
Gene therapy can be used to treat congenital diseases and improve the quality of life of people. Although it cannot be applied to fix medical conditions that are already present since birth, it can help alleviate the pain or effect of the medical condition. An example is the case of the woman who became blind from acquiring a degenerative retina disease. With gene therapy, there is a chance that her sight can be restored even partially. Having said this, a person who has a congenital defect has the opportunity to live a more normal life with therapy.
3. Not Limited to Humans
Proponents of gene therapy emphasize the extent of application of this experimentation. According to them, it does not only have an effect on human beings but can also be used for animals and plants. Gene therapy can be used to stabilize the food chain in case diseases on animal struck. Conversely, plants can also benefit from gene therapy since it can be used to cure plant diseases and reduce the possibility of destruction of crops.
4. Replicates Protein
People in favor of gene therapy posit that gene therapy is a great way to replace abnormal protein the body. This is a significant factor especially when it comes to research. This is true in the case of a mutated gene. It can make beneficial protein that can be lost because of the condition and be replaced. By injecting genes into the cell, protein can function normally again.
5. Enhances Overall Health
With the enhancement of the genes in the body, the effect can have rewarding results on the body. Researchers are looking forward to the possibility of addressing the risks of cardiovascular disease by boosting the body. This can lead to improvement of blood flow, muscle mass increase.
List of Cons of Gene Therapy
1. Side Effects
Critics doubt the effectiveness of gene therapy because of the possible negative impact of using this technique. They express that although there is the possibility for disease treatments, there is also a chance for new diseases to affect a person who uses gene therapy. Moreover, there is no assurance that its application will backfire and lead to mutations and might affect the condition of human life.
2. Solution Not Permanent
Skeptics claim that developments of gene therapy are quite slow and according to studies, it offers limited solutions. Although its main objective is to follow a treatment protocol to treat congenital diseases or genetic abnormalities, it cannot be used extensively at the moment. Moreover, in time, the body will be able to adapt to the therapy and in time, these treatments will not be as effective as it should.
3. Scientific Issues
In gene therapy, viruses are used as vectors. Critics claim that this is not totally without risks because there is no assurance that the viral enzyme which will ensure the right gene is introduced can be introduced to the correct gene inside the body. As a result, this can lead to errors in the genetic make-up and can lead to disorders.
4. Potential Problems
Those who are not in favor of the use of gene therapy say that there are numerous negative results to the body. Problems are more likely to happen after the introduction of DNA for therapy. This is also because of the fast replication of certain cells which can also lead to several treatments needed in the process. Moreover, since there is the possibility that the body will assume the vector entering the body is foreign, it will eventually destroy the vector, making the treatment ineffective.
5. Ethical and Moral Issues
The use of gene therapy can also widen the gap between the rich and the poor because of the cost of the process. Due to its being expensive, not everyone can be given the chance to get the treatment. It is also somehow a manipulation of the genetic make-up of man which does not look pleasing to the eyes of some religious groups. Aside from being expensive, it can also go against the beliefs of other people.
Gene therapy can be promising but there are also risks involved in the process. It offers a lot of potential when it comes to medicine but it also is expensive. Perhaps in time, the pros of this therapy will outweigh its cons to improve the lives of the people.