Gene therapy: It is a method used for the modification of a person's genes in order to treat a disease or rebuild defective genetic material.
It is a life-saving technique and has a success rate of over 85%. It is useful in the treatment of cancer, heart diseases, AIDS, diabetes, etc.
There are three types of gene therapy techniques: gene augmentation therapy (DNA is added into the genome to replace a missing gene), gene inhibition therapy (inhibiting the activity of an existing gene), and killing of specific cells.
Depending on which type of cells are treated, gene therapy is of two types: somatic gene therapy and germline gene therapy.
In somatic gene therapy, DNA is transferred to a cell that doesn't produce sperm or eggs. Thus, any changes in the genome will not be inherited by future generations.
In germline gene therapy, DNA is transferred to a cell that is able to produce sperm or eggs, and hence, will be inherited by the next generation.
