Genetic Testing & Gene Therapy 5.3

Genetic Testing & Gene Therapy (5.3)  Genetic tests look for signs of a disease or disorder in DNA taken from an individual’s blood, other body fluids like saliva, or tissues

Genetic Testing & Gene Therapy (5.3)  Genetic tests look for signs of a disease or disorder in DNA taken from an individual’s blood, other body fluids like saliva, or tissues  These tests can detect large changes, such as a chromosome that has a section missing or added.

Genetic Testing & Gene Therapy (5.3)  Genetic tests look for signs of a disease or disorder in DNA taken from an individual’s blood, other body fluids like saliva, or tissues  These tests can detect large changes, such as a chromosome that has a section missing or added.  They can also detect mutations within the DNA strand itself

 Some genetic testing involves the direct examination of the DNA molecule.

 Others include testing for gene products such as enzymes or using karyotypes to examine stained or fluorescently-marked chromosomes

Gene Therapy  Gene Therapy is an experimental approach to treating genetic disorders in which the faulty gene is fixed, replaced, or supplemented with a healthy gene so that it can function normally  Most genetic diseases cannot currently be cured, but gene therapy research provides hope that one day a cure may be found.

Gene Therapy Method

Gene Therapy Method  A substance called a DNA vector carries a healthy gene into target cells in the patient  Altered viruses are often used as DNA vectors because … ?  viruses have the ability to enter certain types of living cells and insert their DNA into the genomes of these cells

Gene Therapy Method  Altered viruses are often used as DNA vectors because viruses have the ability to enter certain types of living cells and insert their DNA into the genomes of these cells  To use a virus as a vector, viral genes are removed and replaced with the new gene destined for the cell