Answer to Critical Thinking Activity - Chapter 23

1. Gene therapy is a medical procedure wherein a defective gene is actually replaced by a healthy gene, or the defective gene is made to be inactive.

2. Yes, although not many at the present time. Two children have been treated for ADA, a rare genetic immune deficiency, and are doing well. At least one of these children is living a normal life.

3. As in any medical treatment, errors can be made. Here, however, the errors could be very serious, indeed. The new gene could be inserted in the wrong place, causing a disorder rather than curing one. The new gene could accidentally reach cells for which it is not intended, again with negative results. It is possible that introduced genes could become inserted into germ cells and end up in sperm or eggs and thus become inherited by that person=s children.

4. The ethics involving the risks of gene therapy can all be resolved by medical safeguards. Many such precautions are already in place, and more are being developed as needed. The really ethical problems concern misuse of this technology, or even if we should Aalter nature@ at all by using such techniques. Social issues of concern go beyond just curing a disease. What if, in the future, we try to genetically enhance individuals= genetic structure by providing for higher intelligence, greater strength, longer life, and the like. Such enhancements, even if accepted by society, would likely be affordable only to the rich. However, new technologies have a history of at least some misuse. Alfred Nobel invented dynamite in 1866, and, I have heard, became horrified with the misuse of this Aboon@ to humankind. Although dynamite and descendant explosives have been grossly misused, the overall benefit to humans has, I believe, outweighed the negative aspects. I believe the positive possibilities of gene therapy far outweigh the negative possibilities of misuse. Rest assured, you need not agree with this opinion.