Human Genetics

Gene Therapy is a groundbreaking medical approach that alters an individual’s genetic material to treat or prevent diseases. It involves adding, removing, or modifying genes within a person's cells, such as replacing faulty genes with healthy ones, deactivating harmful genes, or inserting new genes to fight or prevent disease. This technique is used to treat inherited disorders, certain cancers, and rare conditions like cystic fibrosis and spinal muscular atrophy. Common delivery methods include viral vectors, CRISPR-Cas9 technology, and lipid nanoparticles. As an evolving field, gene therapy holds the potential for targeted, effective, and long-term treatments.

Genetic Engineering involves altering an organism’s DNA to achieve desired traits, using techniques to modify, add, or remove genetic material. Methods include gene cloning, where specific genes are inserted into vectors for replication, CRISPR-Cas9, which enables precise gene editing, Recombinant DNA technology for combining DNA from different organisms, and Gene Therapy, which introduces new genes to treat genetic disorders. Applications span agriculture (e.g., genetically modified crops), medicine (e.g., therapeutic proteins), and industry (e.g., biofuels). Despite its potential, genetic engineering raises ethical concerns, especially in human gene editing and environmental risks from GMOs