Objective Summary #2

In chapters 4 through 6 of "Gene Therapy" by Joseph Panno, Panno recounts the story of Jesse Gelsinger and how his death struck a blow to gene therapy as a whole. He goes on to explain how gene therapy can be improved and how it may be used in the future. The Jesse Gelsinger trial brought to light some of the mistakes that can be made during gene therapy trials and made sure that such mistakes would never happen again in future trials. Panno continues by predicting how gene therapy can be used to change our cosmetic appearance as well as our own physiology. We are also warned that the widespread use of such a treatment could possibly interfere with the future of human evolution. He concludes the chapter by questioning the morals of such a therapy and how it could potentially damage the germ line (genes passed on over generations) of any who accept gene therapy.

By inserting Hemocyanin genes into our red blood cells,
Humans would be able to survive in low-oxygen environments
that our current hemoglobin would not.

Essential Question: Genetic Engineering

Question: Should genetic testing on consenting humans be opened to medicine?

Claim: Yes, because genetic testing on humans will further our understanding of genetics.

Reasons: With the help of gene therapy, we will be able to cure previously incurable genetic diseases. Through the alteration of certain retroviruses, we can insert desirable genes into affected organs which will replace defective genes, thus treating the condition. Genetic testing on humans will allow us to go a step beyond conventional treatment and actually start curing these debilitating diseases.