Gene Therapy

By: Ian and Patrick

 Natural Selection Artificial Selection

• Natural selection is organisms' • Artificial selection is selective breeding

ability to adapt to new by which humans choose what traits
surroundings. they want from a species and breed
• Organisms that are more adapted them together.
to their environment are more • Artificial selection is the identification
likely to survive and pass on the by humans of desirable traits in plants
genes that aided their success. and animals, and the steps taken to
enhance and perpetuate those traits in
future generations.

This picture represents natural selection because the darker colored rabbits
have a better chance of surviving because their harder to see.
 What is Gene Therapy
Gene therapy is the process
of living humans receiving
treatments and therapy
through genetic
modification. The
transplantation of normal
genes into cells in place of
missing or defective ones to
correct genetic disorders.
Examples of gene therapy:
Immune deficiencies, such
as hereditary blindness,
hemophilia, blood disease,
fat metabolism disorder,
and Cancers.
 Pros and Cons of Gene Therapy
Pros:
• Genetic therapies can be used to
prevent, treat, or cure inherited
disorders, such as the ones
mentioned earlier.
• They can also be used to treat
cancers or infections such as
HIV.
• Gene therapy is used to treat
other infection and diseases such
as cystic fibrosis, alpha-1
antitrypsin deficiency,
hemophilia, beta thalassemia,
and sickle cell disease.
Cons:
• Risks could include certain types of
cancer, allergies, or damage to organs or
tissues especially if injection is involved.
• Another risk is that genetic therapy could
be an unwelcome immune response, and
it could cause serious illness or death.
There is also a possibility of genetic
therapy causing a tumor.
• The cost of gene therapy surgery is very
expansive to the point where some
people can't afford it.
 Is Gene Therapy Good or Bad?
Although gene therapy has its pros and
cons, overall, we think it is good. Even
with all the pros and cons, overall, genetic
therapy is lifesaving, and beneficial in the
future. Gene therapy can improve life by
improving the body's function, reducing
or eliminating any pain or suffering, and
overall improving the psychological sense
of a well-being.
Based on our research, gene therapy has
successfully treated several inherited
immune deficiencies.
Is it worth getting it? We
think Gene Therapy is overall
good, but with how expensive
gene therapy is, it is not
worth it. Gene therapy
surgeries can cost anywhere
from 1M – 3M dollars per
treatment (according to
Google).
 Thank You!
Gene Therapy
By: Ian and Patrick