Gene Therapy

     I have decided to change my topic from animal testing to the ethics behind gene therapy. 

    Gene therapy is the altercations of one's gene by targeting body cells such as blood cells or bone marrow.  Although this therapy does not allow these genes to be passed down, targeting an egg and sperm cell will allow that child to develop these genes that can be passed down to future generations.  I was amazed to find that this treatment has helped some patients be cured from hemophilia (body does not induce blood clot), neurodegenerative diseases such as Huntington's Disease, certain cancers, and even blindness.  I have found that there are 3 types of disease categories for gene therapy: Monogenic/inheritable diseases, polygenic disease (dependent on environment and lifestyle), and infectious diseases such as HIV.  

    While gene therapy has found to cure many diseases, this treatment has also raised a few ethical questions.  Others have found a different way of using this therapy by alternating one's and even their offspring's genes to eliminate their "bad" traits.  Although this does practice autonomy, the ethics behind using this treatment is clouded.  One may argue that it is one's freedom to proceed with this treatment, while others may say that this treatment should not be used for such selfish needs.  It is unclear who and how this treatment is given.  This brings in the next ethic pillar, beneficence.  Both the doctor and the patients can benefit from this procedure.  While the doctor can collect data for future operations, the patient will also be able to cure their disease. I am not sure if this would count under the non-maleficence pillar, however I would like to bring price into this discussion.  It is extremely expensive to get this treatment.  Gene therapy can range from five hundred thousand dollars to a million dollars.  For patients suffering serious diseases, it is practically impossible to receive this treatment unless they have lots of money.  This situation can also tie into the justice pillar.  Is it right to charge this much for such a treatment?  From looking at the price, this treatment can only be afforded by the upper class.

Comments

  1. AnonymousNovember 12, 2020 at 12:01 PM

    I considered doing a topic like this as well. I think the most interesting part of this ethics decision is the possibility of parents "playing God" with their children and picking and choosing traits that they would like to appear in their offspring. My question is what traits could these be? As broad as "no bone density issues as they age" or as specific as choosing blue eyes or a certain height? Would they be able to choose the gender of their child? Perhaps think about which choosable traits could be acceptable ethically (maybe making their child tall?), and which traits would be pushing the boarders of ethics (like choosing a lighter skin tone?)

    -Hallie McConlogue

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