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Example research essay topic: Gene Therapy Brain Tumor - 736 words

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Gene therapy is one of the many new scientific frontiers that has been started up as a result of the continuing research of the human genome project. Gene therapy is a very new field of science, and so the full advantages and disadvantages are unknown. However, it is presumed that this will be the next frontier in medical science. Gene therapy works in three different ways. The basic idea is that new genes will some how Correct the mutant genes that are causing harm. It may involve one or several of the following techniques, all of which are used.

Gene Replacement Therapy involves the mutant gene being replaced by the normal form. This type of therapy is mainly used when the functioning point of a chromosome is very specific, because the other methods work in a general area. Gene Augmentation is the second method. It is used when a specific gene has been damaged or deleted. During Gene Augmentation, the normal form of a gene is placed in one of the chromosomes. The third method is Gene Inactivation.

This works in the opposite way as the others. A gene produces a protein that reduces or neutralizes the effect of a defective gene. It may also alter the gene so that it reproduces fewer copies of itself, or copies which are not damaged. A story recently ran in the Washington Post Health section. It was about a 15 year old girl who has brain cancer, name Becca Lilly.

She underwent gene therapy six months ago to try and destroy the tumor. No other patient had ever received gene therapy for a brain tumor before. The doctors knew that the odds of her surviving were not very good, but they went ahead with the procedure because if they didn t, there was no other hope for Becca surviving. The therapy was a type of gene inactivation. A harmless virus was inserted into the tissue where the tumor was located. It invaded the tumor cells.

Two weeks later, a follow-up drug was given to Becca. If the tumor cells had been exposed to the first virus, the drug would kill them. Everything seemed to be working fine. Becca continued to be active, playing softball and leading a relatively normal life. Six months later she went for a checkup and an MRI scan was done. The doctors then discovered that the tumor had partially grown back.

Now Becca is in the hospital preparing to undergo chemotherapy. It is unlikely that the tumor will be removed, but her family still hopes for the best. The scientists and doctors are now looking for the answer to this question: Did the gene therapy actually do anything? Some would argue yes, that it provided her with six months of cancer free living. Some say that it didn t accomplish anything since the tumor did return. No matter what may be true it is still unsure what the general response to the therapy will be since it has been conducted on only one person.

I think that the experiment is definitely a step forward. It has proved that the virus and the drug had some effect, because the tumor was in remission for about six months. Now what must be done is an effort to make the effects permanent. The operating doctor, Robert Packer, who is also in charge of the brain tumor research center at Children s Hospital says that most likely 80 to 90 % was eliminated in the initial procedure. He also says that if he had known of any other procedure that would have given Becca six more months to live, he would have definitely jumped at it. I completely agree with this.

I think that the best thing to come from the experiment was reassurance that the drug has a real, positive effect. They were shown not to harm any other part of the brain, and they did eliminate tumor tissue. However, I feel that they must first be tested more before the full effects can be understood. This experiment is good assurance that gene therapy is continuing in the right direction. Doctors now know that they can have an effect on the most complex area of the body. From here it will be a long, hard process of testing and retesting, but I am sure that one day the process of gene therapy will be a true life saver.


Free research essays on topics related to: brain tumor, didn t, gene therapy, gene, six months

Research essay sample on Gene Therapy Brain Tumor

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