| From: steve | 29/03/2001
22:05:31 |
| Subject: gene therapy |
post id:
267817 |
| is gene therapy the insertion of
genes into a matured subject (man, animal)or is this for fetus stage
only cheers steve | |
| From: lentil | 29/03/2001
22:25:17 |
| Subject: re: gene therapy |
post id:
267835 |
| Gene therapy could be insertion
of genes into somatic cells (adult cells) in particular organs, or it
could involve the insertion of genes into sperm and egg cells or an
embryo, so that the whole person ends up with the genes. Lentil | |
| From: Grant¹ (Avatar) | 29/03/2001
22:27:09 |
| Subject: re: gene therapy |
post id:
267841 |
I saw bits of Quantum tonight where they are looking for a gene that give resistance to TB. | |
| From: Wench of the Gods ® | 30/03/2001
8:38:23 |
| Subject: re: gene therapy |
post id:
267985 |
| It is currently illegal in
Australia (and many other developed countries) to introduce new genes in
to Human sex cells (via gene therapy or any other means). I'm not sure of
the legal position regarding embryo's.... I suspect it is also
illegal. I can't think of an example of genet therapy using stem cells (these are cells in your body that can differentiate in to a number of cells), but there might be. All current examples I can think of involve stomatic cells (end-point cells that do not differentiate any further). I am willing to be corrected on this, however. | |
| From: J.F. ® | 31/03/2001
18:38:22 |
| Subject: re: gene therapy |
post id:
269257 |
| I think there has been some work
on using viruses to introduce genes into the lungs of people with Cystic
Fibrosis. The effect is temporary, AFAIK. Permanent effects would reqire
meddling with sperm + ova then IVF to get an embro-foetus-child. AFAIK,
this is considered too dangerous at present + therefore unlikely to pass
any ethics committees. Even the work on post natal gene therapy is "on hold" at present, since a young man died after such therapy: the virus caused fatal organ damage, to everyone's dismay + surprise. I think that happened last year. I think that an adenovirus was used. New Scientist reported it, AFAICR. | |