WHAT IS GENE THERAPY?

HISTORY OF GENE THERAPY

WHEN DOES GENE THERAPY WORK?

WHEN DOES GENE THERAPY NOT WORK?

WHAT ARE THE ETHICS OF GENE THERAPY?

OTHER AREAS GENE THERAPY CAN BE APPLIED

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                  *This is a fictitious case study made up by the author*

          John Ryder is a 23 year old newly married man who has just found out that he has a family history of Huntington's disease.  John decided to visit his doctor and acquire about his chances of contracting the disease.  His doctor suggests having genetic testing done to see if John has the defective gene associated with Huntington's disease.  Several days later John gets a call form his doctor informing him that he does not have the defective genes for Huntington's disease but he does have a defective gene that causes chronic immune system failure in patients in their late 30's.  The doctor tells John that the good news is that they caught this defective gene early and they can treat it with gene therapy.  John is slightly relieved by this and makes an appointment to see a specialist. 
              The Specialist informs John that the procedure is painless except for a shot in his arm every six months for the rest of his life.  His doctor also mentions the risks associated with this procedure.  However, John receives the news he has been dreading.  The doctor tells him that there is a 100% chance he will pass this on to his children.  This devastates John as he was hoping to have a large family.  His doctor informs him that there is a method to prevent his children from getting this defective gene, called germline gene therapy, but the FDA has banned it based on ethical problems.