Gene Therapy is a way of treating genetic disorders. The process of gene therapy involves implanting genes into cells in order to cure or postpone a disease caused by a genetic mutation. When doctors implant one good cell, it divides and multiplies, curing or helping to postpone the disease. This method is used only in genetic disorders that have a missing gene or that have a defective gene.
The molecules that are implanted in the cells are called vectors. Vectors are the cells that are placed in the specific area of the problem. Presently, the most commonly used vector is a virus which has been genetically changed so it may carry normal DNA. Viruses have mutated so that they may infect cells and create a disease. Scientists have been able to use this ability to change the gene in the virus in order to remove the genes that cause the disease and to add therapeutic genes.
"A man too busy to take care of his health is like a mechanic too busy to take care of his tools."
- Spanish proverb
