Gene therapy is an experimental method of treating illness by modifying the genetic material of the patient. Gene therapy usually involves inserting a healthy copy of a faulty gene into the patient’s cells. Primary immunological deficiencies, where gene therapy has been able to rectify the presentation of patients, and/or cancer, where gene therapy is still in the experimental stage, are examples of these conditions. One example of this therapy that results in a good way is it was used on cows to increase their milk production and it increased the same.
Germline gene therapy-
Now firstly we will learn what is does germline gene means, then will see what is germline gene therapy in detail, and lastly a germline gene therapy diagram.
Germline gene-
The sex cells of an organism are referred to as the germline. And, although it may seem to be an odd name, it relates not just to mammals, but to every living entity that reproduces via sex, which includes plants. As a result, it’s a pretty broad phrase that refers to the cells of the sexual organ that produce either sperm or eggs. And the sperm may, of course, be pollen rather than the sperm you’re used to seeing. The germline is also essential since it is where genetic information is passed down from one generation to the next. And since it is inherited from both the female and male of the species, here is where all the genetic activity takes place. When such organisms mature, they are no longer predominantly made up of germ cells. Somatic cells make up the majority of the body. However, the germline is the central problem in terms of evolution and inheritance.
Basically in this sex cells (eggs and sperm) employed by sexually reproducing organisms to pass on genes from generation to generation are known as germ lines. Germ cells are the cells that produce eggs and sperm, while somatic cells are the cells that make up the rest of the organism.
What is germline gene therapy?
A piece of DNA is transferred to cells that create eggs or sperm. Gene therapy’s effects will be passed on to the patient’s offspring and future generations.
This inserts ‘normal’ human genes into the parent’s eggs or sperm, as well as the offspring’s fertilised egg or early embryo. The objective would be to alter the genetic inheritance of the future kid.
This might be done to avert a hereditary ailment or to add a genetic mutation that is ‘enhancing’. There have been no human germline gene therapy studies, and there is an unofficial ban on such research in people among the scientific community. Its practicality and value are both unknown.
Other mammals’ germlines have been successfully inserted with new genes, although with poor effectiveness. Pre-implantation genetic diagnosis, on the other hand, permits parents to choose embryos based on their genetic differences, as long as the parents developed the desired variants themselves.
Donated eggs or sperm, rather than somatic cell gene therapy, would be a safer and simpler means to transfer the desired genes. Germline gene therapy might be the most significant impediment to somatic cell gene therapy.
Examples- This type of gene therapy is still in its early stage of human medical trials, although instances exist, such as cows changed to produce more milk or release human hormones, or “knockin” and “knockout” mice models, which have been used to understand gene function for decades.
Process
Gene therapy might be directed at egg and sperm cells (germ cells), allowing for genetic modifications to be handed down to future generations. Germline gene therapy is the term for this method.
This therapy is controversial as it may prevent future generations of a family from inheriting a genetic condition, it may influence the development of a foetus in unforeseen ways or have unknown long-term consequences. People who will be impacted by germline gene therapy are unable to choose whether or not to get treatment since they have not yet been born.
Although germline treatment has the potential to treat genetic disorders, governments in countries such as Switzerland, Australia, and Germany have banned its usage because of concerns about the unknown hazards of the therapy and if it would have long-term repercussions on future generations. Germline treatment is also prohibitively costly, limiting its use.
Conclusion-
So, in this article, we have read about germline gen, germline gene therapy, its diagram.
It is very controversial to use this therapy a lot of countries have banned it as it violates the right of the ones that are yet to be born as they might get something from the therapy which they may not want when born, also it has huge risks by editing the genes of the future generations as we currently treat it for people who have some issue and this therapy might help them, but same does not go yet to be born ones.