What is somatic cell gene therapy?

Somatic cell gene therapy is accurately described as a method of introducing genetic material into somatic cells. This approach is utilized primarily in the context of treating genetic disorders or diseases in patients by correcting defective genes within their somatic cells, which are any cells in the body that are not sperm or egg cells.

In the process of somatic cell gene therapy, targeted genes are delivered via vectors, such as viruses, directly into the cells that are affected by a specific disease. The idea is to achieve therapeutic benefits by repairing or replacing faulty genes, thus fundamentally altering the behavior of those cells to alleviate symptoms or potentially cure the disease.

This is distinct from other techniques, such as cloning or agricultural biotechnology that focuses on modifying entire organisms or plant structures. The specificity of somatic cell gene therapy at the cellular level underscores its therapeutic application in treating conditions like genetic disorders, while other options pertain to broader applications in agriculture or livestock management.