Is gene therapy a permanent cure?
Gene therapy offers the possibility of a permanent cure for any of the more than 10,000 human diseases caused by a defect in a single gene. Among these diseases, the hemophilias represent an ideal target, and studies in both animals and humans have provided evidence that a permanent cure for hemophilia is within reach.
Why is gene therapy not a permanent cure?
Some of the unsolved problems include: Short-lived nature – Before gene therapy can become a permanent cure for a condition, the therapeutic DNA introduced into target cells must remain functional and the cells containing the therapeutic DNA must be stable.
Why is gene therapy bad?
Gene therapy does have risks and limitations. The viruses and other agents used to deliver the “good” genes can affect more than the cells for which they’re intended. If a gene is added to DNA, it could be put in the wrong place, which could potentially cause cancer or other damage.
Why is gene therapy so expensive?
The main reason gene therapy is so expensive, however, may be the paradigm used in the price-setting strategy. The cost of production is weighed against the value of a life saved or the improved quality of life over a specified timeframe.
How safe is gene therapy?
Current research is evaluating the safety of gene therapy; future studies will test whether it is an effective treatment option. Several studies have already shown that this approach can have very serious health risks, such as toxicity, inflammation, and cancer.
How does gene therapy affect human life?
Gene therapy is a potential approach to the treatment of genetic disorders in humans. This is a technique where the absent or faulty gene is replaced by a working gene, so the body can make the correct enzyme or protein and consequently eliminate the root cause of the disease (BIO, 1990).
Does gene therapy have side effects?
After initially receiving a type of gene therapy, the patient’s immune system may react to the foreign vector. Symptoms of a reaction may include fever, severe chills (called rigors), drop in blood pressure, nausea, vomiting, and headache.