Gene Therapy In Genetic Engineering Applications

Gene Therapy In Genetic Engineering Applications Gene therapy is one of the applications of the genetic engineering. It is a technique which correcting defective gene that is responsible for disease development (cited Safdar, 2010). Gene therapy also involves the addition of healthy and functional copy of the faulty gene into the target cells of the body. Gene therapy generally works by inserting a normal gene into the genome to replace an abnormal gene in the target cells. There are two types of gene therapy. Firstly, germ line gene therapy which involves modification of genetic material in the gamete cells that would be heritable and can be pass through to the next generation. Secondly, somatic gene therapy which involves insertion of therapeutic gene into somatic cells of the patient that only effect to the individual patient only and will not be inherited by patients offspring.( cited in Ten Tailed Fox, 2009). Various genetic disorder diseases commonly are caused by faulty genes. With gene therapy, instead of treating the symptoms of the disease, treatment also target and correct the underlying cause of disease and eventually improve the faulty genes to normal genes. One of the genetic diseases that apply gene therapy as alternative treatment is Cystic Fibrosis. Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is one of the most well-known hereditary lethal diseases. A study conducted by UK Cystic fibrosis Gene Therapy Consortium (UK CFGTC) stated that approximately, 50 000 people and 1 in 2500 newborns around the world are affected. CF is an autosomal recessive disorder which caused by the mutation of Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR) protein that leads to abnormally thick secretion of mucus. The organs most affected by CF are the lungs, gut, pancreases, liver and reproductive tract, but lung infection is the most serious affected by CF. (cited in Metharom, 1997). Continuous inflammation, damaged lungs and respiratory failure are results of repeated cycles of infection that may leads to death. With the development of effective treatment to overcome CF, gene therapy was introduced by scientist in 1990 which promises new opportunity for CF patients to have a better and long life span. This gene therapy involves replacing the detective CFTR gene with the normal one in the affected cells. As the results, the functional CFTR are being produced in all target cells and the CFTR gene will then conducts the production of normal CFTR protein which acts as a medium that allows releasing chloride and other ions. But this is opposite with people who have CF, where CFTR protein is detective and the cells do not discharge chloride ions. Although, gene therapy has the capability in treating CF, it still faces with various issues. This report consists of history of CF gene therapy and genetic techniques of gene therapy on CF. Research findings also include the advantages and disadvantages of using gene therapy in treating CF. 2.0 BACKGROUND GENETIC Gene therapy has shows that much positive feedback in treating genetic diseases although there are many failures happened. Gene therapy for CF first discovered in 1990 when scientist treated defective CFTR successfully and they added the normal copies of the gene to laboratory cell structures. The first experimental CF gene therapy treatment was given to CFs patient in 1993 (cited in Schoenstadt, 2009). The table below shows the major events that occurred due to development of gene therapy in treating Cystic Fibrosis. 3.0 GENETIC TECHNIQUES In gene therapies, there are three main techniques that are being used in treating diseases. The first is Gene addition, in which the genetic material is added to the target cells with no attempt to incorporate it into chromosomes. Second one is techniques of gene repair that replace abnormal segments of DNA in defective genes in their normal chromosomal site. The last one is Gene replacement techniques which allow deletion of the abnormal gene from its chromosome and replacement with a normal gene. (cited in Sade RM, Khushf G., 1998). In order to treat CF, the common technique used is Gene replacement by using vector. Vector is a DNA molecule (virus) act as a medium to transfer foreign genetic material into another cell. Instead of introducing new genetic material into target cells vectors are also agents to which new genetic material is attached. Diagram below shows the working of a virus acts a vector in gene therapy. First step to do is designing a vector by modifying the gene of the virus. We need to remove the rep gene which codes for proteins that responsible for viral replication as well as cap gene, which codes for capsid structural proteins. Then, we insert the normal CFTR gene in the virus. Second step is producing the virus. After inserting the CFTR gene in the virus, we transfer the vector into a packaging cell line so that the vector will combine with protein needed to assemble the virus. Next, we collect the virus sample from the growth medium and add into the Petri dish containing the CF cells. The virus give effect to the cell as it integrates the DNA into specific location on chromosome 19. Last step, we transfer the vector into CF patient. CFTR gene in the cell will transcribe into mRNA and this induces the cell to produce normal CFTR protein in the target cells. Diagram below show the mechanism of vector in treating Cystic Fibrosis. 4.0 SOCIAL ISSUES In recent years, many types of techniques have been developed to identify genes associated with specific diseases. Society always debate over the ethics of using gene technology to treat human beings when recombinant DNA research began. Tables below show advantages, disadvantages, ethical and social of practicing gene therapy to treat genetic diseases such as Cystic Fibrosis. ADVANTAGES OF GENE THERAPY Gene therapy promotes in providing better and normal life for those who practise the therapy. (Ten Tailed Fox, 2009). The practice of gene therapy on CF patients can solve their problems by replacing none functional gene with functional one. (cited in S. Muniba, 2010) Gene therapy has high success rate compared to other methods in treating CF disease. Gene therapy helps patients to avoid from practicing unnecessary treatment and alternative which may be dangerous to them. SOURCE: http://www.biotecharticles.com/Genetics-Article/Gene-Therapy-Advantages-and- Disadvantages-271.html DISADVANTAGES OF GENE THERAPY Scientist stated that correcting the defect in people who had diseases is much harder than achieving correction in cells in the laboratory .It means that there are also numbers of trial that results in failure. (cited in Healingwell.com ) Practice of gene therapy using vector may induce immune response in the patients. The gene that is injected or sprayed into patients target cells may trigger antibodies to kill the vectors. ( cited in William, 2000).This is because virus is used as a vector to transport the therapeutic gene. The use of gene therapy in treating CF will cause in diminishing the gene pool. Their patient s next generation will have to survive with the changes in their genomes.(cited in Sade RM, Khushf G., 1998 ). Chance of inducing a tumor .If the DNA is integrated in the wrong place in the genome, for example in a tumor suppressor gene, it could induce a tumor. (cited in Healingwell.com) SOURCE: http://academicdepartments.musc.edu/humanvalues/pdf/gene-therapy.pdf In conclusion, gene therapy is a best solution in treating cystic fibrosis because it has the high chances to eliminate this genetic disorder disease. Muniba stated that gene therapy could be last cure for every genetic disease. People who take gene therapy will make up their mind if they also face with this problem because this type of treatment can be the last hope for them in treating hereditary disease like Cystic Fibrosis.Government should concerns regarding the harms that may be associated with gene therapy and the beneficial uses of gene technology are required. (1547 words)

Analyzing of the Changes that Occurred during the 1960’s in Civil Rights Movements

To what extent did economic and political developments as well as assumptions about the nature of nature of women affect the position of American women during the period 1890-1925? In the years 1890-1925, the role of women in American society had changed politically, economically, and socially. Women were no longer considered the servant of men. She was considered an important part of society, but wasn’t able to lead in areas dominated by men. In this time period this is when things started to change for the women.The late 1800’s saw an emergence of women’s rights groups. These groups stressed that women were not only able to do skilled jobs, but capable in acquiring these positions. In the past, when had been held back by the lack of education, strength, and the amount of money in their banking account. However, women began to seeing an availability of an education, jobs, and social events. As the 1800’s comes to an end ant the 1900’s enter women b egan to see clearly. Then in the 1908 the Supreme Court ruled the Muller vs. Oregon case, which said that even though women were becoming better educated, they still couldn’t have the same treatment men did; the court also believed that women belonged at home, in a class by herself (Doc B).Throughout all these rulings, some women began to feel that society might not be the place for them. Under all that pressure, women’s rights groups enhanced their campaign and pushed hard for women’s rights. They were mainly focus on the need for women to vote. They stressed this because at the time women felt that voting was helpless. They supposed they lived in a society that needed them to only serve men and bear children. The women’s rights groups changed that though by pushing women to get jobs to support their families and nation and also vote for understanding politicians.After a good period of time, the women of this country began to fight back. They started fig hting back by getting jobs hat paid off and by voting. After  women were held back by society, women won the battle for social equality. In 1923, the Supreme Court ruled Adkins vs. Children’s Hospital that there previous ruling in the Muller case was wrong (Doc J). That court had also say that from 1908-1923 the status of women had almost been changed completely.A women’s movement occurred during 1890-1925. It began with women were entering the personnel for their right to work. It continued with involvement of middle class women in social issues and continued with the new workers during the World War I. It ended with economically independent women during the noisy 20’s. Economic opportunities opened the chance for women to become politically active and change how America views women. As the position of women increased so did their income.

Development of the Instrument

The first subspace contains 8 items which captures leader's morally grounded principles at work such as: ‘When I take a managerial decision at work, I consider ethical repercussion of my decision† and â€Å"l take ethical rules seriously when supervise my subordinates in the organization†. Spiritual Depth which is the second subspace contains 8 items which captures leaders deeper self-awareness, deeper self-awareness, self fleeting at work such as â€Å"l believe incorporating spirituality into work makes a leader benevolent † and â€Å"l try to find a deeper sense of meaning in my leadership and work†.Positive Engagement which is the third subspace contains 8 items which captures leaders how leaders develop positive change in the organization through courage and hope such as â€Å"l persuade my team to dream big and think out of the box in the organization† and â€Å"l believe in my teammate's ability to produce positive results in the organi zation†.Community Responsiveness which is the fourth subspace contains items that futures leaders contribution to the society and community service such as â€Å"I actively associate myself in projects related to corporate social responsibility for the benefit of the community' and â€Å"l care about leaving a legacy for future generations†. METHODOLOGY Judgment Sampling is used to gather data for this study. The subject population was managers working in business and nonprofit organizations. First, pilot study was conducted with 30 managers to remove redundancies. The revised re-assessed survey was sent out for data collection.For Confirmatory factor analysis Honking (1995) proposed using a sample size of 200 but Honking (1995) also recommends using a sample of 1 50 for new scale development. For exploratory study, judgment sampling was used to collect the data. I tried to obtain responses from managers who have experience in leading people and who have diverse tenden cies towards benevolence. Judgment Sampling was used as it gives an insight in choosing the respondents, flexibility, convenience. Participants were reached by Professional email groups, Social networking sites, Professional contacts and references.

Eastern Air Lines Lockheed L 1011 Crashed At 2342 Eastern...

An Eastern Air Lines Lockheed L-1011 crashed at 2342 Eastern Standard Time, December 29, 1972, approximately 18 miles west-northwest of Miami International Airport, Miami, Florida. The air- craft was destroyed. There were 163 passengers and a crew of 13 aboard the aircraft; 94 passengers and 5 crewmembers died. All other occupants received injuries, which ranged in severity from minor to critical. It was a normal flight until the approach to Miami International and the landing gear handle was placed in the down position during the preparation for landing. The green light, which would have indicated to the flight crew that the nose landing gear was fully extended and locked, failed to illuminate. The captain recycled the landing gear a few times, but the green light still failed to light. The crew called for clearance and climbed to 2,000 feet mean sea level and followed a clearance to proceed west from the airport at that altitude. During this time, the crew became focused on correcting the malfunction and to determine whether or not the nose landing gear was extended and locked. At 2335:09, EAL 401 contacted MIA approach control and reported, â€Å"All right, ah, approach control, Eastern four zero one, we’re right over the airport here and climbing to two thousand feet, in fact, we’ve just reached two thousand feet and we’ve got to get a green light on our nose gear. â€Å"(NTSB, 1974) The second officer was finally able to remove the nose gear light housing but was unable toShow MoreRelated Eastern Flight 401 Essay example2733 Words   |  11 PagesEastern Flight 401 An Eastern Air Lines Lockheed L-1011 crashed at 2342 eastern standard time, December 29, 1972, 18.7 miles west-northwest of Miami International Airport, Miami, Florida. The aircraft was destroyed. Of the 163 passengers and 13 crewmembers aboard, 94 passengers and 5 crewmembers received fatal injuries. Two survivors died later as a result of their injuries. Following a missed approach because of a suspected nose gear malfunction, the aircraft climbed to 2, 000 feet meanRead MoreEssay on Crew Resource Management (Aviation)1968 Words   |  8 PagesUnfortunately, accumulating events of disastrous air crashes (predominantly in the mid-1960s and 1970s) resulting from primary causes including poor pilot management and the lack of utilising multiple resources available to the crew. These particular causes or insufficiencies consequently served as triggers, bringing to attention the realising significance of CRM, and its need for application in flight crew practices (Murray, n.d.). Eastern Airlines Flight 401, Everglades (Florida): Although