Germline Gene Therapy

Alternate Medicine

Chelation Therapy

Cognitive Therapy

Gene Therapy

Heat Therapy

Homeopathy

Hypnotherapy

Laser Therapy

Massage Therapy

Music Therapy

Pet Therapy

Physiotherapy

Play Therapy

Relaxation Therapy

Siddha

Other Therapy

Naturopathy

Herbal Remedies

Free Newsletter

Stay updated, sign up for our free newsletter to receive useful tips

Full Name
Email Id

Germline Gene Therapy

Germline gene therapy involves making changes to the cells that are used in the reproductive process. Germline gene manipulation can change sperm cells, oval or stem cells precursors.

In order for germline therapy to produce changes that will be transmitted to offspring, the genes need to be inserted into chromosomes. Germline therapy has so far mainly been used in animals.

Two Stage of the Germline Suitable for Genetic Engineering

There are two stages of the germline which are suitable for gene therapy. The first is the released egg. This can be altered before or after it is fertilized with sperm. The egg is fairly easy to manipulate and be injected with DNA. If DNA is injected into an egg, it will usually integrate into one of the chromosomes.

The second stage at which germline gene therapy can take place is with cells at the developmental stage, called blastomeres.

Rate this Article

Excellent

Good

Average

Bad

Terrible

Current Rating

When germline gene therapy takes places with blastomeres, the cells can be grown and manipulated in a test tube.The changes cells can then be implanted in a surrogate mother.

Germline Genetic Engineering and Specially Altered Animals

Germline genetic engineering has been used successfully to specially alter animals. When altered cells are implanted in a surrogate mother, the two types of cells in the hybrid blastocyst contribute to the final animal. This has been used to produce animals such as cows with elevated milk production, sheep that secrete a valuable hormone or enzyme in the udder, mice that have specific genes inactivated in order to analyze the gene's function and mice with a genetically engineered deficiency that is similar to human diseases.

Ethical Considerations in Germline Gene Therapy

Out of the two types of gene therapy, germline gene therapy poses the most ethical problems. Many people protest against the use of germline gene therapy in all scenarios, and the use of germline gene therapy moral in humans is a very contentious issue. Some people want this technology to be used in humans, so that certain diseases may be eradicated. Others believe that this sets some people up as "playing God" and opens the way to many future problems, including "designer babies" and the rejection of certain normal traits. It has only provoked questions about how it should be used and when it is ethical to use germline gene therapy. Germline gene therapy institutes are concerned with the ethical problems relating to germline gene therapy.

Differences between Somatic and Germline Gene Therapy

There is one main difference between somatic and germline gene therapy. Somatic gene therapy alters body cells and has no effect on the reproduction cells or any future offspring. Germline gene therapy, on the other hand, targets cells of the reproductive system and can be used to change the cells of future generations. Both types of gene therapy have ethical considerations.