Germline genetic editing is treated with great caution by scientists. What are the key differences between somatic and germline genetic editing? What are the potential risks and moral complexities specific to germline genetic editing?
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1. Germline genome editing occurs in a germ cell or embryo and results in changes that are theoretically present in all cells of the embryo and can potentially be passed from the modified individual to offspring. Is germline therapy legal in the United States? a. No, germline therapy is banned under the Consolidated Appropriation Act of 2016. b. No, the U.S. is one of over forty nations that prohibits germline therapy/editing. c. Yes, germline therapy is legally permissible in the US and faces few ethical objections. d. Yes, there is no current legislation in the US that explicitly prohibits germline engineering although it cannot receive federal funding. 2. What are some of the limitations of somatic cell editing? a. The effects of somatic cell therapy are short-lived because the cells of most tissues ultimately die and are replaced by new cells. b. Repeated somatic gene treatments over the course of the individual's life span are required to maintain the therapeutic effect. c. Transporting the gene to target cells or specific tissues can be very difficult. d. All the above 3. Many different vectors can deliver genes to specific cells. Which of the following is not a commonly used vector for gene therapy? a. Viruses b. Embryonic stem cells c. Stem Cells d. Liposomes 4. What is the major difference between somatic and germline editing? a. Somatic gene editing is predominantly performed in vivo whereas germline gene editing must be performed in vitro. b. Somatic gene editing is performed in somatic cells while germline editing is performed in gametes. c. The results of any somatic gene therapy are restricted to the actual patient and are not passed on to his or her children, while germline editing results in heritable changes that can be passed from an individual to their offspring. d. Genes edited in somatic cell lines will be passed to all daughter cells, whereas germline gene editing results in changes that remain within the modified gametes. 5. Gene therapy is commonly used to: a. Replace a mutated gene that causes disease with a healthy copy of the gene b. Fix mutated genes: Inactivating, or ‐knocking out,‐ a mutated gene that is functioning improperly or correcting (activating) a gene so that it can be expressed normally and inhibit the disease. c. Make diseased cells more evident to the immune system. In some cases, your immune system doesn't attack diseased cells because it doesn't recognize them as intruders; gene therapy can modify your immune system to recognize the cells that are a threat. d. Introduce a new gene into the body to help fight a disease e. All the above
Farhan A.
Siddhartha Mukherjee writes about the differences between survivors and previvors. What are the important differences between these types of patients? Be specific. Distinguish the relevant genetic issues that faced the three different types of previvors (the three people who were discussed in detail) depicted in the chapter "Genetic Diagnosis: Previvors," especially as they relate to the triangle of limits - high penetrance genes, extraordinary suffering, and non-coerced, justifiable interventions. Distinguish between somatic gene therapy and germline gene therapy. What kinds of gene therapies do you find to be morally permissible and not permissible, be as specific as possible? Justify your answer.
Dominador T.
In contrast with the genomic manipulations of animals and plants described in this chapter, human gene therapy is directed specifically at altering the genomes of somatic cells rather than germ-line cells. Why couldn't or wouldn't medical scientists try to alter the genome of human germ-line cells?
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