CGS : Medical Gene Transfer

About Medical Gene Transfer

Sometimes called "gene therapy," medical gene transfer involves adding or modifying genes in a person's cells (other than those found in his or her sperm or eggs). The "new" genes are intended to function in ways that would alleviate a medical condition. They would not be passed on to any future generations.


		Arguments Pro & Con

Gene transfer may eventually become an effective treatment for some important medical conditions. Clinical trials have been underway since 1990, but so far have been mostly unsuccessful, involved several conflict-of-interest scandals, and produced adverse results including deaths.

Gene transfer has also been proposed for "enhancement" purposes. This application could raise troubling social and ethical questions.

In New Way to Edit DNA, Hope for Treating Diseaseby Nicholas Wade, New York TimesDecember 28th, 2009A powerful new technique for making precise alterations in human DNA may greatly benefit medical gene transfer experiments.

Simple gene technique changes sex of a mouseFrom Minnie to Mickey (and all they did was turn off a gene)by Steve Connor, The IndependentDecember 11th, 2009Simple technique changes sex of a mouse – and reveals the gender war that rages in all of us

Is Gene Therapy Finally Ready for Prime Time?by Adi Narayan, TimeNovember 27th, 2009Over the past year, a series of small but intriguing advances has suggested that medical gene transfer may hold real future potential.

Cautious Optimism about Limited Gene Therapyby Pete Shanks, Biopolitical TimesNovember 23rd, 2009Modestly encouraging signs of progress in gene therapy are welcome but should not be exaggerated.

Promises, Promisesby Stuart Blackman, The ScientistNovember 1st, 2009Ill-judged predictions and projections can be embarrassing at best and, at worst, damaging to the authority of science and science policy.

Seeking justice for my sonHe died in a gene-therapy trial. Penn and the FDA should release the records. [Commentary]by Paul Gelsinger, The Philadelphia InquirerSeptember 17th, 2009On the tenth anniversary of his son's death in a gene therapy experiment, Paul Gelsinger says questions about responsibility and current practices have yet to be answered.

The Second Coming of Gene Therapyby Jill Neimark, DiscoverSeptember 2nd, 2009For years, gene therapy produced tons of hype but no results. Recently, new approaches may have yielded its first successes.

Gene therapy edges towards commercial realityReutersMay 25th, 2009Gene therapy may be about to become a commercial reality, 20 years after the first experiments with the medical technology.

Gene Therapy's Tragedy: A Lesson for Stem Cell Research?by Jesse Reynolds, Biopolitical TimesMay 11th, 2009A gene transfer researcher argues caution for stem cell research. His advice should carry particular weight.

Looking back, years after Penn gene-therapy deathby Marie McCullough, Philadelphia InquirerMay 8th, 2009Gene transfer researcher James Wilson says problems with the experiment that killed a teenager were "absolutely unacceptable" and ultimately "my responsibility."

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