Introduction: There have been split viewpoints on the currently controversial topic of gene therapy. According to statistics polled by Dr. Maurice Super, "People [...] have shown approximately a 50/50 split for and against gene therapy" (Citation 5). Many scientists, like Dr. Maurice Super believe that this is mainly because people fear what they do not know much about. Because gene therapy has not been around for very long and is currently in a highly experimental stage, the general public views it in fear, zeroing their attention on the negative results of gene therapy tests, like the death of Jesse Gelsinger.
Pro:
"Medicine has been waiting for this for thousands of years. This is a truly historic moment,"(Citation 5) said Gerard J. Garrity, chairman of the Recombinant DNA Advisory Committee (R.A.C.) of the National Institute of Health (N.I.H.)
The use of Gene Therapy, would provide those suffering from, genetic diseases hope for a better and brighter future. Further research into gene therapy would amount to safer and more effect methods of curing disease.
Economically speaking, gene therapy has opened a whole new field of science that requires ambitious and creative minds opening up job opportunities and sparking more interest in the flied of biotechnology. If gene therapy were to become a manufactured and more widely regulated drug which could truly help consumers, the economy would benefit through not only the research field but also through the actual selling of the drugs.
Cons:
Scientific Issues: Though the idea of using viral vectors for the purpose of gene therapy is inventive it is not completely
foolproof. There is no guarantee that the viral
enzyme that is responsible for this step will be able to introduce the
correct gene at the specific point in the host chromosome. In case,
there is an error in this process, it would result in error in the
genetic makeup of the cell and can result in serious disorders.
Ethical Issues: The ethical issues that arise from gene therapy are basically the same issues that come from any artificial modification of the human genome. The potential that gene therapy has may be worrisome because along with the positive aspects there may also be unforeseen consequences, including fatalities. This was so in the case of Jesse Gelsinger.
Religious Issues: Some people view gene therapy as manipulation of the work of God. They believe that only a higher being should be in charge of people's lives and creation. They feel that by using gene therapy, people are trying to play God's role.
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