Ethical Concerns in Gene Therapy Incorporation

There are opposing viewpoints on the incorporation of gene therapy into modern medicine. Many scientists and individuals from the public find genetic therapy to be unethical. In contrast, others see it as a revolutionizing technology that will change medicine and produce treatments and preventions to genetically inherited diseases. Reece briefly mentions the challenging decisions that accompany technological advancements. The ethical concerns that arise with gene therapy include; is the usage of DNA technology adequate to determine if people have genes for inherited diseases, should the tests be voluntary, should genetic testing be obligatory (Reece, et al. 2018). These ethical values vary within people and are commonly determined by values,

That defective gene could result in a lifelong disease or complication, such as sickle cell disease. If found early it could be prevented or treated, promising that infant a better quality of life. Genetic therapy would be unethical if conducted for any other reason than disease prevention. Scientists and researchers believes that gene therapy could be modified to augment and heighten precise characteristics, which without the technology are uncontrollable, such as an individual’s aptitude, strength, athleticism, eye color, hair color, skin color, height, or gender (Designer Babies, 2017). The ethical determinants considered in the implication of gene therapy has caused a worldwide discussion. Those who follow and sustain this biotechnology argue for the prevention of disease and restricting conditions and for a global enhanced quality of life. On the other hand, those who detract genetic therapy, reason that it will generate superior individuals, with one-sided adaptations and hinders with mother nature’s life

Individuals who inherited this disease from their parents do not possess the standard hemoglobin that should be contained in RBC. Hemoglobin is a protein present in RBC, which transports oxygen to all parts of the body (National Heart and Blood Institute, 2017). The disease which impairs the hemoglobin’s responsibility, prevents blood cells from receiving the sufficient oxygen, causes RBC to be sickle shaped. Sickle cell disease precedes to several painful health complications such as VOC (vaso- occlusive crises), which are severe pain recurring episodes, that can lead to irreversible organ damage. Sickle cell anemia causes red blood cells to hemolyze continuously through an individual’s lifetime… hemolysis is the breakdown of red blood cells (Krishnamoorthy, et al. 2017). An experimental study was conducted with SCD Townes mice to test a possible solution for sickle cell anemia. Throughout a seven-week span, mice orally conveyed dosages of 100 mg/kg of DMF. DMF known as dimethyl fumarate is small complex molecule and which binds and activates to enhance Nrf2 to enhance Hbf. “Nrf2 is a transcription factor that triggers cytoprotective and antioxidant pathways to limit oxidative damage, inflammation, and increases HbF” (Krishnamoorthy, et al. 2017). Fetal hemoglobin (Hbf) is the hemoglobin present in fetuses; it is responsible for the transportation of oxygen