Tailoring Edits: Cells vs. Inheritance
Editing Our Future: Exploring the Divide Between Somatic and Germline Gene Therapy The realm of genetic engineering is rapidly evolving, offering tantalizing possibilities for treating diseases and improving human health. At the forefront of this revolution are gene therapies, which aim to correct faulty genes responsible for a wide range of ailments. However, not all gene therapies are created equal. Two distinct approaches, somatic cell therapy and germline therapy, diverge significantly in their targets and implications, sparking intense ethical debate. Somatic Cell Therapy: A Targeted Approach Imagine treating a patient with sickle cell anemia by modifying the faulty genes within their blood cells. This is the essence of somatic cell therapy. It involves editing the DNA of specific cells in...