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The Latest Debate

In today’s world, there is much debate about everything. Much of these debates occur in the scientific world. One of the biggest debates in the world of science and medicine is over the ethics of gene therapy.

The scientific world is seemingly divided in half over the whether or not gene therapy is ethical. While many companies and individuals support gene therapy and conduct research, others despise gene therapy and never want it to become approved.

As gene therapy has recently gained recognition within the American public, the debate has fiercely continued. People of all kinds are weighing in on gene therapy.

The first semester of the school year, Mr. Guise’s Bioethics class did group debates, with one group’s topic being gene therapy.

In a survey of 100 Hopewell Valley Central High School students, only 3 were somewhat opposed to gene therapy, and just one person strongly opposed gene therapy. All other students supported gene therapy.

Additionally, the majority of Hopewell Valley CHS students’ opinions were not changed about gene therapy even after they knew that gene therapy had caused a number of deaths during a variety of clinical trials.

Additionally, many medical professionals support gene therapy. This is interesting because of their disapproving position on experimental gene procedures which are relevant to the medical world.

Dr. Martha Doemland says she supports gene therapy because “many chronic and debilitating disease and conditions are the result of defective genes. Gene therapy can correct faulty genes and reduce the burden of disease for individuals and for society in general.”

She also believes it has the potential become as common in the future as the vaccine is in the present day.

Generally, there are a couple basic arguments in place that support gene therapy. First, it can dramatically improving the condition of living for those affected by genetic disease, including the victims family and friends. With a hope for a cure, those with genetic disease also see hope for an extended lifespan, and a new found freedom of sorts. The burden on the family of the disease-stricken is also lessened.

Additionally, gene therapy is very adaptable. It can be used to treat a whole bunch of different diseases within the human body, anything from Parkinson’s to cancer, to cystic fibrosis. This variety makes it appealing to a large group of research foundations which of course means that gene therapy has received a large amount of funding, especially in the last few years.

Not everyone is a fan of gene therapy however.

A Hopewell Valley CHS student who wished to remain anonymous said “Although gene therapy may seem like a viable option currently, there are simply too many unknowns still for gene therapy to become a safe and reliable medication anytime soon.”

There are also several common arguments against gene therapy.

Perhaps the most common argument is the dangers that gene therapy possesses. Because gene therapy is still in clinical trials, no treatments have been approves, and so those who are currently receiving treatment are doing so at their own risk.

Additionally, many argue that the cost of gene therapy is simply excessive. For example, a treatment for a genetic skin disorder may cost as much as $100,000 for just the first year of treatment. This puts a large strain on families who already have other bills to pay.

Ultimately, the debate over whether or not gene therapy is ethical will be settled by the National Health Institute (NIH). It is up to the National Health Institute to approve or disapprove any possible gene therapy treatments, as well as other new treatments for disease that come up.

So far the NIH has not approved any treatments, although gene therapy is still in the early stages of clinical trials. There are currently over 2,400 clinical trials for gene therapy.

Many people and organizations are attempting to sway momentum for gene therapy one way or another, but for now, the public must await and see if gene therapy is indeed approved as an official treatment by our National Health Institute.