Answer:
True
Explanation:
Revolutionizing the medical field, gene therapy has become an increasingly plausible alternative to conventional treatments. Basically, it consists in the specific modification of a gene to prevent or remedy inherited or acquired disorders that result in a pathological condition for the organism. This technique is based on the interference, correction or replacement of the defective gene within the cells that express the pathology by the normal gene and its correct functional protein to slow down, stabilize or reverse the course of the disease. It can be carried out in both somatic and germ cells. In germ cells the modification can potentially be transmitted in Mendelian fashion from one generation to another.
Depending on the type of disorder, gene therapy is performed through one of the following approaches:
- Gene Addition: consists of introducing a correct copy of the functional gene so that the corresponding protein is produced in adequate amounts in the tissue to be treated. It is the most used procedure.
- Gene correction: it is sought to correct the altered gene by replacing it with the correct gene by homologous recombination, although at the moment this method is not very efficient. Instead, it is possible to exchange a specific mutated nucleotide, which is useful for treating diseases with point mutations.
- Gene suppression: consists in canceling or reducing the expression of a certain gene. This is achieved through the use of interference RNAs that induce degradation or silencing of the white mRNA.
