The future of gene therapy

 The future of gene therapy:-

Theoretically, gene therapy is the permanent solution for genetic diseases. But

it is not as simple as it appears since gene therapy has several inbuilt

complexicities. Gene therapy broadly involves isolation of a specific gene,

making its copies, inserting them into target tissue cells to make the desired

protein. The story does not end here. It is absolutely essential to ensure that the

gene is harmless to the patient and it is appropriately expressed (too much or too

little will be no good). Another concern in gene therapy is the body's immune

system which reacts to the foreign proteins produced by the new genes.

The public, in general, have exaggerated expectations on gene therapy. The

researchers, at least for the present, are unable to satisfy them. As per the

records, by 1999 about 1000 Americans had undergone clinical trails involving

various gene therapies. Unfortunately, the gene therapists are unable to

categorically claim that gene therapy has permanently cured any one of these

patients! Some people in the media (leading news papers and magazines) have

openly questioned whether it is worth to continue research on gene therapy!!

It may be true that as of now, gene therapy due to several limitations, has notprogressed the way it should, despite intensive research. But a breakthrough

may come anytime, and of course, this is only possible with persistent research.

And a day may come (it might take some years) when almost every disease will

have a gene therapy, as one of the treatment modalities. And gene therapy will

revolutionize the practice of medicine!