Gene therapyIn 1990, experiments in gene therapy by the insertion of new genes into body cells were approved for the first time by the Recombinant DNA Advisory Committee of the National Institutes of Health. These first real gene therapies for humans were for adenosine deaminase deficiency (a genetic disease that destroys the immune system) and for a form of cancer. Dr. McGarrity, chair of the committee noted that the protocols that they had voted upon were the first approvals for true gene therapy rather than simple gene insertion. Garrity added that this is a historic occasion in that now gene therapy can be added to the repertoire of vaccines, antibiotics, drugs, surgery, and radiation to fight disease.* |
