Gene therapy

• What happens in somatic cell therapy?

  Copies of the corrected gene are inserted directly into body cells
• How can the corrected gene be introduced?

  1. Harmless virus
  2. Liposomes
• What is germline therapy?

  Where the corrected gene is inserted directly into the fertilised egg produced via IVF
• What is the main difference between somatic cell therapy and germ line therapy?

  Somatic is temporary, whereas germ line is permanent as all cells will contain the corrected gene when the gamete divides
• Is germ line therapy legal?

  No