Naked Science Forum
Life Sciences => Cells, Microbes & Viruses => Topic started by: chris on 15/06/2017 07:59:40
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Tasman asks:
What is your opinion on germline gene therapy?
What do you think?
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It's inevitable.
For now, there is a significant probability of "off target" (unintended) side-effects of genetic modifications.
- This effectively restricts it to experimental animals
- Current nervousness about genetically-modified organisms will delay releasing these into the environment or the food chain for a few years (at least in Europe)
But there will come a time where the risks of genetic disease (to an individual) are considered greater than the risks of genetic therapy (to that individual) and the treatment will be used.
I think germline therapy will be common in 50 years (if current trends continue).