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Gene therapy

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Gene therapy
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Course description

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Following on from the advances made in diagnosing disorders using genetic testing, this free course, Gene therapy, looks at the possibilities for genetic therapies. Two approaches to gene therapy are discussed: correcting genes involved in causing illness; and using genes to treat disorders. Before closing on a discussion of the issues around 'designer babies' somatic gene therapy and germline gene therapy are discussed.

Course learning outcomes

After studying this course, you should be able to:

After studying this course, you should be able to:

  • understand some of the types of disease that might be treatable by gene therapy
  • understand the basic principals of genetic manipulation
  • understand the differences between somatic and germline gene therapy and some of the problems involved in these potential treatments
  • understand how genetics may be used in the design of drugs.

First Published: 09/08/2012

Updated: 19/06/2017

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