Gene Therapy&GMO's

1. Genes

2. Gene
Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is
the chemical information
database that carries the
complete set of instructions for
the cell as to the nature of the
proteins produced by it, its life
span, maturity, function and
death. Genes are the working
subunits of DNA. Each gene
contains a particular set of
instructions, usually coding for a
particular protein or for a
particular function.

3. What is Gene Therapy?
Gene therapy is an
experimental technique used
in treatment of malfunctioning
genes, whereby a deficient or
defective gene is replaced by a
working gene, so that the
body can make the proper
enzyme or protein and as a
result eliminate the origin of
the disease.

4. Vector(viruses) are using in Gene
Therapy
To insert the corrected gene
into the patient’s targeted cell,
a carrier molecule, called a
vector must be used. The most
common form of vector is a
virus.The viruses are modified
by replacing the deformed gene
with the genes encoding for the
desired effect.Thus the virus
can be used as a 'vehicle' to
carry the good genes into the
targeted human cell.

5. How does Gene Therapy work?
The target cells are
usually a patient’s liver
or lung cells, where the
viral vector transfers the
therapeutic gene into the
target cell. The
therapeutic gene
generates the production
of functional proteins and
restores the cell to its
normal state.

6. Genetically modified organism
A genetically modified
organism (GMO) is an
organism whose genetic
material has been altered using
genetic engineering
techniques. Organisms that
have been genetically modified
include micro-organisms such
as bacteria and yeast, plants,
fish, and mammals.
GloFish, the first genetically modified animal

7. Genetically Modified Foods:
Harmful or Helpful?
 The health consequences of eating
genetically modified organisms are
largely unknown.
 GMOs require massive amounts of
pesticides, herbicides and
fungicides.
 Significantly high kidney and liver
toxicity after only 90 days in
laboratory rats that were fed GM
corn.