Gene Therapy: A Transformative Approach to Treating Genetic Disorders
Gene therapy has emerged as one of the most promising frontiers in modern medicine, offering new hope for individuals affected by inherited and acquired diseases. Instead of treating symptoms through conventional medications, gene therapy targets the root cause of a condition by modifying, replacing, or regulating faulty genes. This approach has the potential to provide long-lasting or even permanent solutions for disorders that were once considered incurable.
At its core, gene therapy works by delivering genetic material into a person's cells. This is typically done using vectors, most commonly viruses that have been engineered to be harmless. These viral vectors act as carriers, transporting therapeutic genes into the cells where they can begin functioning. In some cases, gene therapy introduces a completely new gene to compensate for a defective one. In other cases, it corrects or silences harmful mutations, or enhances…