GM In Humans

Changing our lives through GM in Humans

 Genetic modifications in humans may be one of the most populous topics in society today.  According to www.discoveriesinmedicine.com Genetic modification is the human altering of the genetic material of living cells to make them capable of producing new substances or performing new functions. The technique became possible during the 1950s when Francis Crick (1916-) and James Watson (1928-) discovered the structure of DNA molecules. Crick, Watson and later researchers learned how these molecules store and transmit genetic information.

Techniques Involved

  • Treating genetic disorders and diseases
  • creating new types of human beings with advantages in traits
  • supplying body parts
    (Citation 12)

Gene Therapy

Gene therapy is the treatment of medical disorders by inserting specific engineered genes into a patient's cell.

All of the following information of Gene Therapy is from library.thinkquest.org (Citation 13)

The first attempted trial of gene therapy took place in 1990. A research team at the National Institutes of Health were trying to treat a 4-year-old girl suffering from severe combined immunodeficiency disease (SCID), which made her extremely susceptible to infections. The disease was caused by a single defective gene that encodes for the enzyme adenosine deaminase (ADA). This mutation caused toxic levels of these chemicals to destroy B and T cells (white blood cells).

Scientists at NIH used a virus to insert the normal ADA gene into a batch of the girl's own T-cells removed from her body. Every 3 months for the next two years she recieved transfusions of the modified T-cells, which synthesized normal ADA. Her body's immune system improved and she started to live a normal life. The trial was successfu.

However, one problem with this experiement was that the modified T-cells have an infinite life span and eventually die. Scientists are concentrating on genetically modifiying bone-marrow stem cells, which produce all types of blood cells.

Photo taken from http://www.nwabr.org(Citation 14)

There are two types of gene therapy, Somatic and Germline.

Somatic Cells focus on nonreproductive existing cells. If these cells are modified, it only affects the existing cells and does not get inherited to the following generations. Such practices include It does not involve egg or sperm cells.

Germline Cells is when the gene is modified at an early stage of development so that genes that cause diseases can be removed. This technology is passed down from generation to generation.

Gene therapy is still a work-in-progress technology and has not been very successful, but scientists are still trying their best to improve it.

Controversies

  • Could be used to repair missing or damaged genes for people who have genetic disorders.
  • Being used to treat cancer, although experimentally.
  • Genetic screening or testing to see if a patient has any genomes or sequences for future disorders.
  • The process of germ line therapy to insert genes and artificial chromosomes to cure in genetic disorders to benefit in being passed on to later genearations.
  • Cloning may one day be perfected to modify a baby suitable for the parents.
    • (Citation 15)
  •  There have been many years of research and money, but no success stories have been produced.
  • Cancer is also caused by environmetnal issues.
  • There is no effective therapy for disorders, so it is unethical to offer those tests to patients.
  • The conscious engineering of genetic inheritance from the human population is eugenics. It would involve the destruction of many embryos.
  • 'Designer babies' would bring selfishness to the parents and there's no individuality.
    • (Citation 15)

Since the beginning of time, genetically modifying anything that has to deal with humans has become a major issue in society today. Still today, it is a major controversial issue. Some find it unethical and unnatural to alter any genes, but it brings many benefits to our lives today! If we keep supporting this technology, it may lead to various discoveries that have the chance to cure cancer, replace organs, and much more.  

Involved Industries

  • Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) of biotechnology and health are engaged in biomedical research thave have brough 245 new medicines to the market. Just in 2005, the FDA improved 39 products and idications. They seek to develop ways for patient's to easily reach these products and encourages the innovation. These may seem simple, but it requires complex of legal and environmental levels of the state, national and international. For more information visit http://bio.org/healthcare (Citation 16)
  • HGP or the Human Genome Project was a 13 year project finished in 2005. It's main goals were:
    • identify all the approximately 20,000-25,000 genes in human DNA,
    • determine the sequences of the 3 billion chemical base pairs that make up human DNA,
    • store this information in databases,
    • improve tools for data analysis,
    • transfer related technologies to the private sector, and
    • address the ethical, legal, and social issues (ELSI) that may arise from the project.
    • For more information visit http://www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/home.shtml
    • (Citation 17)