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Genetic Engineering

Curring diseases through genetic engineering

Presented By: Amirah Eckles, Kalobe Saddler, Daiquan Copeland, and Malcolm Hairston

Genetic Engineering

Genetic Engineering

Genetic engineering, sometimes called genetic modification, is the process of altering the DNA in an organism’s genome.

This may mean changing one base pair

(A-T or C-G), deleting a whole region of DNA, or introducing an additional copy of a gene.

Germline gene transfer

?

“Germ line” is biologists’ jargon for the egg and sperm, which combine to form an embryo. By editing the DNA of these cells or the embryo itself, it could be possible to correct disease genes and pass those genetic fixes on to future generations. Such a technology could be used to rid families of scourges like cystic fibrosis. It might also be possible to install genes that offer lifelong protection against infection, Alzheimer’s, and, Yang told me, maybe the effects of aging. Such history-making medical advances could be as important to this century as vaccines were to the last.

ISSUES

Issues

Some of the concerns raised about somatic gene transfer are related to the possibility that it could inadvertently lead to germline gene transfer. The possibility of germline modification through these techniques is the result of the hit-or-miss nature of the current technologies. It is always possible that a vector will introduce the gene into a cell other than that for which it is supposed to be targeted or that through a secondary mechanism target cells that have taken up the new gene will through some independent natural process (such as transfection) transfer the gene to a germline cell. Moreover, if somatic gene transfer were to be conducted in utero, especially before the second trimester, it would increase the likelihood that some of the cells into which the gene is taken up will become part of the germline. It is possible that to effectively treat certain diseases using gene transfer, it might be necessary to apply somatic techniques early in development so that germline transfer is inevitable.

ex vivosomatic

ex vivosomatic gene therapy, where the target cells are removed from the body, cultured in the laboratory with a vector, and re-inserted into the body. This process is usually carried out using blood cells because they are the easiest to remove and return.

The Making

Situ

2

The second option, in situ somatic gene therapy, occurs when the vector is placed directly into the affected tissue. This process is being developed for the treatment of cystic fibrosis (by direct infusion of the vector into the bronchi of the lungs), to destroy tumours , and for the treatment of muscular dystrophy.

Vivo

3

The third option is in vivo somatic gene therapy, where the vector is injected into the bloodstream , and is able to find and insert new genes only into the cells for which it was specifically designed. Although there are presently no in vivo treatments available, a breakthrough in this area will make gene therapy a very attractive option for treatment.In this case the vector designed to treat our hypothetical patient could be injected into a blood vessel in her or his arm and would find its way to the affected brain cells!

Genetic Engineering

Genetic Engineering

Genetic engineering is used by scientists to enhance or modify the characteristics of an individual organism.

In a genetic engineering programmer, certain features of a plant or animal will be selected. For example, genes allowing resistance to herbicides, frost damage or disease may be transferred to crop plants. For example, Humans can convert the Beta-carotene from rice into vitamin A. This helps people who rely on rice but lack Vitamin A. Another example would be Insulin production, Insulin can be made cheaply and quickly by bacteria to treat diabetic.

Candidates

What are some of the disease candidates?

AT A GLANCE

HIV:

By deleting the CCR5 gene, physicians may help more people become resistant to HIV

Pros and Cons: HIV

HIV may become resistant to you if you keep missing doses.

Hopefully Disease will be cured by genetic engineering or at least prevented.

Possible drug interaction issuses when used with other drugs.

The need to take medication regularly everyday, you cannot afford to miss any tablets.

Potential food restrictions.

Drug side effects.

Pros and Cons: Sickle-Cell Anemia

Experimental Treatments

Medications

Assessing stroke risk

Vaccinations to prevent infections

Blood Transfusions

Bone Marrow Transplant

Treating Sickle Cell Complications

There are ethical and religious issues

Pros and Cons: Some forms of genetic blindness

Not all clinical trials are successful

provides a cure for genetic disorders

It offers large scale treatment

Some forms of genetic blindness: scientists could inactivate a certain variant of a gene in the retinal cells to stop inherited blindness

Cons: HIV

-The need to take medication regularly every day

-Side effects from drugs

-Possible drug interaction issues with other meds

-HIV may become resistant to medication if you keep missing doses

Because our understanding of genetics is limited, things like deleting genes and tampering with genetics in other ways may cause unforseen issues

Sickle-cell anemia: it is suggested that editing blood stem cells could cure sickle-cell anemia

HIV Consequences and Limitations

Limitations

Consequences

A person with HIV disease can be symptomatic during the early stage of the disease and appear healty while living with HIV. The disease progresses in stages. As the HIV virus slowly weakens the bodys immune system a variety of syptoms and limiations can develop.

If HIV infrection advances to AIDs, the body becomes prone to oppurtunist infections. This puts the body at anincreased risk of many infections, including herps virus called cytomegalovirus. It cn cause problems with your eyes, lungs and digestive tract.

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