In most gene therapy studies and trials, a
so-called normal gene is inserted into the genome of a person to replace the
abnormal gene that causes the disease. In
order for this normal gene to be inserted into the genome, a vector must be
used or the gene will not reach the target cells. The vectors used are most commonly viruses
such as: retroviruses, adenoviruses, adeno-associated viruses, and herpes simplex
viruses (Human Genome, 2011). Although
this procedure seems to be very effective in reaching the target cell and
correcting the abnormal one, several things could possibly occur that should
not because a virus is used as the vector. Two scientists, Ulrich Dettweiler and Perikles Simon published an article on the bioethics of gene therapy and they strongly believe that the use of viruses for vectors can be pathogenic (2001, p.492). Research using viruses as a vector on monkeys showed positive effects, but in a somatic gene therapy trial, the results were not all positive. In fact, one participant ended up dead. The death was a result of the virus used; it had been pathogenic to the human body.
This
was not the only recorded death due to gene therapy. In the year 1999, an
18-year old man with a disorder of nitrogen metabolism began receiving gene
therapy by a researcher at the University of Pennsylvania (Savulescu, 2001
p.148). While taking part of the research, Jesse Gelsinger died due to an
immune reaction to the virus vector. His death became widely publicized
and people began to question the ethics of gene therapy. When is it all
right to initiate human testing and if it’s time, how will the risks be
assessed? Certain regulations have been set up by organizations,
including the FDA, to help evaluate the risks and make sure that the
researchers inform the participants of all of the possible outcomes.
These deaths raise questions of whether gene therapy in considered ethical. I personally think that it is not very ethical, but it could prove to be useful in the future.
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