Key Terms
Gene Therapy - Removing, replacing, altering or adding genes to correct genetic disorders
Somatic Cell Gene Therapy - making changes to genes in an individual's body that will not be passed on to children
Germ-line Gene Therapy - making changes to genes that will be passed down to children
The first gene therapy was carried out in 1990, and several forms of treatment are currently being developed. Generally speaking, somatic cell gene therapy is supported by most people, as it is low risk - only the patient suffers if anything goes wrong, and the patient may already be dying of cancer, for example. Germ-line gene therapy is much more problematic. If anything unexpected goes wrong, this could be passed on to the children, their children etc. Germ-line gene therapy is currently illegal in the UK, and the US will not allow federal funds to pay for research on germ line gene therapy (2011).
Some people have concerns that, if mistakes were made with somatic cell gene therapy, the changes could be passed on. Others think that Germ line gene therapy is good, as it will help future generations.
