Gene re-programming

Some serious chronic diseases result from single gene polymorphisms and some cancers arise from over-expression of single genes or closely related gene clusters. In principle, such genes, or their protein products, can be switched off or supplies of fresh "normal" genes can be given. Such gene therapy can lead to the patient expressing the normal protein products for the rest of their lives but, of course, their genetic gift to the next generation, through the germ cells, would be unaltered. At present, it is considered unacceptable to alter germ cells but it may be only a matter of time before it is regarded as more unethical to allow further generations to be damaged by readily correctable chronic conditions bequeathed by the parents.

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