Gene therapy has become an exciting and controversial issue on the scientific and medical horizon. Science offers new technologies that, in the future, will be able to treat and cure common genetically transmitted diseases. However, since it is an extremely vast topic, it is necessary to dedicate time to its interpretation and explanation. First of all, a general definition of gene therapy is needed. Genetics, The Clash Between New Genetics and Human Values, by David T. Suzuki and Peter Knudtson, defines gene therapy as "the medical replacement or repair of faulty or defective genes in living human cells." It's actually not as basic as the definition would imply. Within gene therapy there are some aspects, some more controversial than others, some more feasible and probable than others. The ethical question must be addressed at all times. But we will talk about all this in more detail later. There are two types of cells that can theoretically receive gene therapy. The first is the somatic cell, also called body cell. The lifespan of this cell is as long as the lifespan of the individual patient. This is to say that any therapy performed on somatic cells becomes obsolete when the patient dies. The second type of cell is the germ cell, also called the reproductive cell. These are not bound by human life but instead belong to lineages that may be immortal. Therefore, unlike the somatic cell, any therapy, whether successful or not, undergone by a germ cell will be passed on for generations. Naturally, a patient who undergoes somatic gene therapy runs great risks. The therapy is still new and experimental, so there's no guarantee... middle of paper ...that the "promise of gene therapy" is still intact. There are good reasons to be optimistic. Works Cited1. Knudson, Peter; Suzuki, David T. Genetics, the clash between new genetics and human values. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press; 1989.2. Butler, Declan "Ethical Treatise on Addressing the Implications of the Genome." Nature 29 September 1994: 369.3. Butler, Declan "Pope condemns 'immoral' embryo research." Nature 6 April 1995: 489.4. Benzinger, personal interview with Dr. R.. October 4, 1995.5. Leiden, Dr. Jeffrey M. “Gene Therapy: Promises, Pitfalls, and Prognosis.” The New England Journal of Medicine 28 September 1995: 871-873.6. Fletcher, Dr. John C. Introduction to the Virginia ELSI Project; “Preparing for New Genetics: Training Professionals. University of Virginia at Charlottesville, date unknown.