Have you considered using gene therapy before the COVID-19 outbreak started? That is not likely unless you're a scientist or doctor. You likely have little more than a hazy understanding of what it is.

 

We now have SARS-CoV-2 and the creation of COVID-19 vaccines, both of which utilize our genetic machinery. It was just a matter of time until misunderstandings and false information regarding these vaccines spread, such as the claim that they constitute a type of "gene and cell therapy."

 

FACT #1: Gene therapy modifies your DNA

 

Gene therapy, as opposed to the COVID-19 vaccination, alters your DNA. Its aim is that.

You insert a "good" version of a gene into a patient's genome when a "bad" version of that gene causes a disease (i.e., into their DNA). The "good" gene will then carry out its normal functions and produce a "good" protein.

 

The disease is subsequently treated by the excellent protein carrying out the tasks that the bad protein could not do.

 

FACT #2: A virus is used in gene therapy to deliver a good gene.

 

You heard correctly.

 

Once the beneficial gene has been produced, you cannot simply give it to the patient in their smoothie. You require a reliable vector, usually referred to as a delivery device.

We have viruses. Why create a virus?

 

The sole purpose of a virus is to take over the protein-making system of a host in order to read its genome, which contains the instructions for creating more viruses and producing more viruses.

 

Therefore, to start introducing a gene into a patient suffering, you insert the gene into the virus' genome, render the virus' remaining genetic material harmless, and then the virus' genome will be incorporated into the patient's genome. The patient's cells will then read the gene and produce a new, improved protein.

 

Even though it uses a viral vector for a distinct (non-DNA-changing) purpose, it still transmits genetic information.


FACT #3: Some genetic disorders respond better to gene therapy than others

You would expect that since almost all illnesses have at least some hereditary component, gene therapy would be effective for all disorders.

 

It's not really that easy, though. The majority of well-known diseases (such as cancer, heart disease, and diabetes) include several genetic risk factors, not to mention critical environmental factors like the way of life, diet, smoking, etc.

 

Finding a gene that can be used as a target for therapy becomes more challenging the more genes you have to deal with top biologics companies.

Diseases generated by a single gene that has few effective therapeutic choices are the best candidates for gene therapy. One such is the lung disease cystic fibrosis (CF), which is brought on by a single "bad" gene.

 

FACT #4: Gene therapy is mainly experimental at this time.

Only a small number of United states food and drug-gene therapies are available in the US, which is another intriguing feature concerning gene and cell therapy.

 

This means that the great majority of gene treatments currently in use are still undergoing safety and effectiveness research in clinical trials. Gene therapies are generally "experimental" as a result.

 

Any medicine must undergo three phases of testing, each with a more significant number of participants, to get FDA clearance.

 

Diseases generated by a single gene that has few effective therapeutic choices are the best candidates for gene therapy. One such is the lung disease cystic fibrosis (CF), which is brought on by a single "bad" gene.

 

FACT #5: Gene therapy is mainly experimental at this time.

Only a small number of United states food and drug-gene therapies are available in the US, which is another intriguing feature concerning gene therapy.

 

This means that the great majority of gene treatments currently in use are still undergoing safety and effectiveness research in clinical trials. Gene and cell therapies are generally "experimental" as a result.

 

Any medicine must undergo three phases of testing, each with a more significant number of participants, to get FDA clearance.

 

It is predicted that with time and technological development, gene therapy will eventually be used often to cure diseases.