Doctors gathered here today at the Arizona Health Care Association Convention I know you all have a common goal to improve the quality of life of the general public. There are many ways to improve the public’s lives, two of which come to mind are plastic surgery, or curing someone of their illness. Just recently we have seen genetic modification hit the medical scene. We now have this new procedure that allows would allow doctors to help their patients obtain what they want, thus improving their lives. The first ever recorded human genetic modification was in 1990. We have come a long way since then. We now have two types of genetic modifications at our disposal. Genetic enhancement enable us enhance or change human characteristics such as an increase in strength, improved memory, or even determine our aesthetics features …show more content…
There are about 6,000 known genetic diseases that are very difficult or very expensive to treat such as hemophilia, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s and even prostate cancer. Gene therapy has opened up an opportunity for doctors to combat these diseases. Gene therapy has an inherent value because we are able to use to cure people of otherwise incurable genetic diseases which greatly helps improve the patient’s quality of life. We know that as technology advances we will be able to bring down the cost of the gene therapy so it then becomes even more accessible. Doctors such as your selves will have an impact on prices because through your use of gene therapy we will see a demand in the free market growth. This growth will enables other companies to develop cheaper, faster and safer ways to improve gene therapy. According to U.S. PIRG competition is known to bring down drug prices by a whopping 85- 90 percent. A raise in demand will increase a supply. This leads to more funds to further research and development. It will also drive other companies to produce. This will
Green briefly touches on gene therapy that aims to cure diseases in an individual. He also considers the fact that this is therapy is particularly risky and dangerous, he holds strong with his idea that, “if the disease is serious enough […] it is usually worth trying.” (pg. 56). Green then moves onto the second ‘square’ of this chapter-germline gene therapy. Green goes much more deeply into this section, mostly because this subject often
Human genetic modification is the manipulation of genes in human DNA so that defective genes don’t obstruct proper functioning, and so that inherited diseases are not passed on. Those against it may argue that genetic modification is simply unnecessary, immoral, or interferes with nature’s course. However, genetic modification overall is and will continue to be beneficial to the mental and physical health of the entire human species. Falling under the umbrella of biology, it is sensible to consider the studying of genes as a significant aspect of the biological sciences because it’s learning how to manipulate them in order to progress preventative medicine and create the possibility of a healthier future. One method of genetic modification
Many also feel that patenting genes is unreasonable, as these patents can cause patients to seek extremely high priced, market dominating medications which are produced by the patent holder. A solution to the current problems in genetic technology may include a ban on patenting genes. When relating to the problems in the ethics of genetic technology, a viable solution may be to have research done in contained laboratories, with no patient genes being left behind. Also, genetic lookup should not occur without a patient consent. To allow patients to feel confident in using genetic technology without worrying about identity theft, all doctors using genetic technologies must be certified by the government before practicing on patients.
Along with this, senior investigators for science will be directed to other countries and not the United States, causing a downfall in medical advances. Although some of these restrictions were lifted by President Obama, there is still a gap in progression as restrictions are not completely lifted. If the U.S. government is going to achieve significant medical advancements, “the government needs to take a comprehensive approach toward subsidizing stem cell research” (“Stem Cell Research”). Not only does the research provide progress, but the $1.1 billion that California taxpayers have produced for stem cell research in the state is generating 2,739 jobs annually. Stem cell research will not only help America advance but it will reduce poverty and provide jobs for many
Adult Stem Cell: A Benefit for All Hippocrates once said “Whenever the art of medicine is loved, there is also a love of humanity.” The biggest part of being in medicine is healing the sick and helping people, not finding the cure for a new disease or studying mice in a lab. Restricting scientists and researchers from doing their jobs—from helping people—helps no one. The controversial debate surrounding stem cell research can be solved if people view it from a pure view, without political and religious agendas. Hannah Warren, now five years old, is alive today because of stem cells.
Cancer, heart disease, blood disorders, nerve disorders, and many more genetic diseases are affecting millions of people around the world. The more society advances, the more degenerate diseases are affecting the citizens. For a number of years researchers have been searching for cures. With new developments in gene editing, treatments for many diseases are just around the corner. Gene editing with new technology, CRISPR, matches with a specific gene and splits the protein.
I want you all to imagine a world with no diseases and maybe even no cancer. Seems pretty impossible right? Well, with gene therapy that could all change. B. Background and Audience Relevance: Gene therapy is essentially using genes as drugs for the treatment of human disease. In the future, this experimental technique may allow doctors to treat a disorder by inserting a gene into a patient’s cells instead of using medicine or surgery.
There are many advantages to adopting genomic medicine into hospitals around the world but there are also many disadvantages such as the large cost to fund genomic medicine. This is why it is more effective to use genomic medicine in more developed countries at this time. Medical professionals are working towards making genomic medicine less expensive to practice and more accessible for all types of people. Table of Contents
Science has enabled us to thrive in a world where change is a must if an organism wishes to live. It has allowed for us to bend and twist the world at our feet, even having enough strength to repel the touch of death. Genetic engineering is the next scientific advancement that will stand close in the near future. It has the capability of modifying the food production process, elimination of diseases and disorders, and the guarantation of the best traits in an organism.
Due to the unpredictable nature of germline gene therapy errors or side effects to future generations, it is certainly serious enough to stop any consideration of germ line genetic therapy. In modern-day research, many germline genetic modification tactics can introduce undesirable mutations that can lead to severe developmental consequences, even death (reference 1). From issues with multigene disorders to environmental hazards, there are a number of adverse side effects associated with germline gene therapy. (Figure what else to add to this paragraph)
Gene therapy was literally life changing for Bill, giving him freedom from regular trips to the doctor and a new lease on life. However, support for this medical breakthrough has been split, and many government regulations restrict the possibilities for gene therapy. Despite these controversies, gene therapy has a bright future in the world of medicine and it deserves government funding. The
Gene therapy’s promise to cure the incurable creates mass-support because of the medical appeal however this appeal neglects the ability of the scientific community to follow through. Gene therapy’s public release opposes the global movement for health equality and safety because of the physical inaccessibility, financial barriers, and unpredictable risks. Because gene therapy is only offered in few specific locations, it is inaccessible for a large majority of the world; equality based on physical boundaries has not yet been established for this new treatment. Katelin Peterson et al. in Personalized Medicine, Availability, and Group Disparity describe how gene therapy is more available to certain ethnicities, primarily Caucasian (211).
GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE Everyone can think of something that they want to improve in themselves. But can you actually change the way you operate? Increasing speed, strength or the mind? Of course we cannot change our genes to shoot out lasers of electricity like in the videogame Bioshock. So this brings the question, can we genetically enhance ourselves?
However, the impact of gene therapy can be passed down to the future generation if the modification takes place within one’s reproductive cells, such as egg or sperm cells (). According to a statistics report provided by The Journal of Gene Medicine, between 1989 and 2016, 2262 clinical gene therapy trails were initiated or approved worldwide, but less than one per cent of these trials have shown clinical benefits, which means gene therapy is still at its experimental stage (). However, we are uncertain at the potential long-term ramification of altering genes. Since human bodies are a complex mosaic, a positive change upstream could cause a negative effect downstream.
Not all diseases carry traits fulfilling requirements for a cure in the status quo; however, Gene Therapy provides hope for treatments with the possibility to evolve into cures for chronic diseases. With all issues there is a solution; it may not stay easily recognizable, but it exists. The specific issue of glioblastoma, an tumor found within the brain to aggressively attack cells, is a focus of researchers at the University of Pennsylvania. Of the first ten patients treated within their study, one is living with a measure of eighteen months post-therapy. Two others have seen opposite effects with worsening of their condition and others have died.