Discuss the ethical and societal reasons for and against germ-line gene therapy

What will be an ideal response?


Answers may vary, but it is important to distinguish between somatic and germ-line gene therapy. Somatic gene therapy will treat the disorder in individuals receiving therapy, but they still have the potential to pass the same mutation to their progeny. Germ-line therapy corrects the mutation in all cells, essentially changing not only the individuals receiving therapy but all their subsequent generations. There may be differing opinions about the ethics of the two types of therapy, since somatic gene therapy can be performed on individuals old enough to consent to treatment, whereas germ-line gene therapy can affect all potential offspring before fertilization has even occurred.

Biology & Microbiology

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Most antigens are monovalent.

Answer the following statement true (T) or false (F)

Biology & Microbiology

The respiratory system exchanges which gases?

A. Carbon dioxide is inhaled, while oxygen is exhaled. B. Both oxygen and carbon dioxide are inhaled, and only carbon dioxide is exhaled. C. Oxygen is inhaled and exhaled, the gas exchange does not include carbon dioxide. D. Oxygen is inhaled, while carbon dioxide is exhaled.

Biology & Microbiology

Repressor proteins

a. prevent binding of RNA polymerase to DNA. b. cause the DNA regions that contain the operator to twist or loop. c. inactivate operon genes when their products are not required. d. bind to sets of operators. e. do all of these.

Biology & Microbiology

Which type of vessel is one cell layer in thickness?

a. artery b. arteriole c. capillary d. venule e. vein

Biology & Microbiology