genehoito

Gene therapy, or genehoito in Finnish, is an experimental technique that uses genes to treat or prevent disease. In the future, gene therapy may allow doctors to treat a wide range of diseases, including inherited disorders, high cholesterol, and even some types of cancer.

Gene therapy works by introducing genetic material into cells to compensate for abnormal genes or to make a beneficial protein. This can be done in several ways. One approach is gene addition, where a normal copy of a gene is inserted into an uninfected cell to compensate for a mutated gene that is not functioning properly. Another method is gene repair, where techniques are used to correct the DNA sequence of a mutated gene. Gene silencing, a third approach, involves inactivating a harmful gene that is functioning abnormally.

The genetic material is usually delivered to the target cells using a carrier called a vector. Viruses are often used as vectors because they are very efficient at entering cells. However, non-viral methods, such as liposomes or direct injection, are also being explored.

While gene therapy holds immense promise, it is still in its early stages of development. Challenges remain, including ensuring the safe and effective delivery of genes, controlling gene expression, and avoiding unwanted immune responses. Despite these challenges, research in gene therapy is advancing rapidly, and it offers hope for treating diseases that were previously untreatable.