Question

1.) What is gene therapy/gene intervention? What are the problems with gene therapy? In which tissues can gene therapy correct genetic defects, be inherited?

2.)What is the respect-for-persons priciple?

Answer 1

Ans1) Gene therapy is usually the insertion of the genes into the host genome at the location where the gene codes for lethal protein.Insertion of gene can also be beneficial in the cases of deletions (For example deletion of short arm of chromosome 5 leads to Cri du chat syndrome) which can be treated.Genes are usually inserted with the help of vectors like retroviruses,adenoviruses etc.There is a risk of immunological response against viruses (rare).The major problem is that the inserted gene should not overexpress,otherwise it may cause cancer.

Usually,if the gene therapy is in the germ cells, then only it can be passed on to future generations.Otherwise gene therapy conducted in somatic cells will not be passed on the next generation and the offsprings will not inherit the corrected gene.

Ans 2) This principle suggests that every person has the right to take decisions effectively and they will decide whether to participate in the study or not.They should be told everything about the study to be conducted on them including potential risks,purpose of the study and it completely depends on the individual to withdraw from the study anytime by his will.