BRAINCAKEHuman Gene Therapy
Gene therapy treats a genetic disorder by inserting a functional allele of a gene into a patient's cells, so they can make the missing protein. Gene editing can also be used to correct the faulty allele directly.
Somatic and germ line therapy
• Somatic cell gene therapy targets body cells, such as lung or blood cells. Only the patient is affected, and the change is not inherited. Treatment may need repeating if the cells are short-lived.
• Germ line gene therapy alters eggs, sperm or early embryos, so the change would be passed to all future generations. It is not allowed in the UK.
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Key terms in this lesson
- vector
- An organism, usually an insect, that transmits a pathogen from one host to another without itself being harmed by it.
- oncogene
- A gene that, when mutated or overexpressed, can drive a cell towards becoming cancerous.
More in Gene Technology
- Cloning Plants
- Genetic Modification of Crops
- Genetic Modification of Soya Bean
- Gene Technology in Animals
- Gene Technology in Humans
- Knockout Mice
- Ethics
- Safety of GM Crops
All 17 lessons in Gene Technology · All Edexcel A-level Biology topics