Gene Therapy: A Medical Revolution
Political Issues
Even though it is legally acceptable to experiment with gene therapy practices, many barriers stand in the way of experimental gene therapy and application of gene therapy in the real world, and one of these barriers involve legal issues. Incorporating gene therapy in our current society presents the government with many major problems that have to be sorted out, such as:
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If gene therapies become available, will they be exploited by private businesses and the wealthy?
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Can gene therapy be used to enhance the quality of life of the wealthy, thus creating an unequal pool of genetically “better” and genetically “worse” off human beings? (Citation 59)
Social Issues
Just as gene therapy is a medical revolution, it has many social impacts. Gene therapy is a newer approach to treatments and medicine. Gene therapy isn’t only impacting those that are being treated or the ones administrating the treatments, but it also affects society as a whole. As gene therapy grows there are many social issues that arise such as the suggestions of increasing knowledge about genomes and obtaining an understanding of identity.
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Is a specific amount of knowledge be considered a lot of knowledge?
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Will this certain type of knowledge cause any ethical concerns in terms of coming up with concepts of health and disease, such as increased paranoia or phobia of genetic disease and disorder?
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If gene therapy, like some aspects of medicine, becomes prone to popular opinion, what effect will it have on its status with the people?
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Could it be utilized as a political platform, combining groups of people who are for or against gene therapy and genomic medicine? (Citation 59)
