John R. Hoffman is a Professor of Biology, public speaker and a scientist examining the recovery of the nervous system after injury. Since 2006 he has written several unpublished manuscripts and he is currently working on the first Nathaniel Smythe novel and short story collection. He spends his spare time with his family and running.

33 Germline Gene Therapy

Objectives

By the end of this lecture, the student will be able to:

  1. Explain how gene therapy can be used for the treatment of a disease.
  2. Compare and contrast somatic and germ line gene therapy.

Germline Gene Therapy

This lecture examines the basic process an concerns associated with human germline gene therapy. The handout for this presentation can be downloaded and printed.

Reading:

Nielsen (1997) Human Germline Gene Therapy. MJM 3:126-132.

Locke (2004) Choosing Hope: The Reality of Germline Engineering. from A Companion to Genethics, 2004.

Assignment: Germline Therapy: Autonomy or predestination?

One of the arguments used against the use of germ line gene therapy is that it violates the principle of autonomy. Under normal circumstances, an individual is given the opportunity to provide informed consent to receive a medical procedure or participate in a clinical study. However, parents often make decisions int he best interests of their children.

In your discussion group, consider under what situations parents should be allowed to make decisions to alter the genome of their unborn child.

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