Edging towards human gene therapy

Article Abstract:

Gene therapy uses genetic engineering techniques to treat or cure a disease. Researchers in the field of gene therapy are facing more regulations and barriers to their progress than researchers in other scientific areas, partly because of fears that genetic engineering will be used to achieve goals that are not in the best interests of society. Another obstacle is the technical difficulty of performing the procedures involved. But gene therapists are hopeful that they will eventually solve the puzzles of many diseases and help the people suffering from them. A first cautious step towards human gene therapy has been taken in experimental cancer treatment. A genetic marker has been inserted into tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL); these TIL cells are designed to attack tumors. The genetic marker, inserted by recombinant techniques, is simply a method for tracking the TIL cells in the body and cannot strictly be considered gene therapy. The next step planned is to include a gene that will promote the effectiveness of the cancer-fighting TIL cells. Since this is considered gene therapy, the researchers are anticipating delays in their progress due to regulatory barriers. Some believe that these regulations are not necessary because the TIL therapy is being tested only in patients who have not responded to any of the conventional treatments, and who thus have no better alternative. Pioneering efforts in human gene therapy may be freed of excessive regulation when a treatment for AIDS using genetic engineering techniques is proposed for approval. A treatment that will interfere with the functioning of the AIDS virus is currently being developed with genetic engineering techniques.

Care and treatment, Genetic disorders, Medical genetics

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The great gene shears story

Article Abstract:

Much controversy has arisen over news reports that a prized Australian patent application was preceded by a similar application in the United States. The two patent applications are in competition for rights to gain commercial benefits from certain scientific discoveries, and the discoveries may be some of the most significant advances to date in genetic manipulation. US and Australian researchers worked separately to develop techniques for manufacturing messenger RNA (ribonucleic acid) from special sections of RNA (introns), without the aid of proteins called enzymes. New ways of shearing and splicing (cutting and reattaching) the genetic material were developed. Messenger RNA has a vital role in all body cells; it brings the genetic code from the DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) located in the cell nucleus to the ribosomes, cell structures that use the code to make essential proteins. One application of these advances could be to disrupt the structure of the AIDS virus, rendering it inactive. Details of this research and its implications are discussed. Controversy over patent rights to commercial application of scientific discoveries has occurred before, but many difficult issues have not yet been resolved. Researchers often must protect their findings legally in order to survive in the scientific community, yet working with patent attorneys can take valuable time away from research efforts. The secrecy inherent in preserving commercial rights has a significant adverse effect on communication and collaboration between scientists who could help each other reach important goals more quickly.

Australia, International aspects, Intellectual property, Patents, Catalytic RNA, Australia. Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation

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UK blood screening begins

Article Abstract:

In January 1990, large-scale testing of several hundreds of thousands of blood samples for the presence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the virus that causes AIDS, will begin in the United Kingdom. The testing will be done anonymously and on blood that was collected for other purposes to avoid any bias in the selection of samples. The samples will be from pregnancy clinics and from clinics where sexually transmitted diseases are treated. Only a limited amount of information, such as sex, age and broad geographical location of the person will be available with the blood sample. With the samples from the sexually transmitted disease clinics, information such as the donor's sexual orientation, clinical diagnosis and intravenous drug use will also be available, but consent of the donor may be necessary to obtain this information. These surveys hope to provide unbiased epidemiological data on the prevalence of HIV.

United Kingdom, Testing, Social policy, Demographic aspects, HIV (Viruses), HIV, Medical screening, Health screening, Blood, AIDS (Disease), Great Britain

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