Gene therapy is a novel approach for the treatment of diseases by delivering genetic information. Cells into which the DNA is inserted are capable of producing and secreting proteins encoded by the transferred DNA sequences. The ability to insert newDNA into a living organism offers a wide variety of potential treatment strategies for correction of both inherited and acquired diseases. Human clinical trials are underway in which gene therapy is being used to correct inborn errors of metabolism, toenhance immunity against tumor cells or infectious diseases, to protect normal tissues against harmful drug side effects, and to treat chronic acquired diseases.
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