As we learned about neuroanatomy and genetic psychology. I started to wonder if researchers are experimenting with gene splitting in hopes of dealing with psych disorders like schizophrenia. I was disappointed not be able to find more research being conducted on the effects or possibility of gene therapy on the psych. It's seem like most research is being done on disease and of course there are worries of athletes gene doping to improve performance.
I did find a article related to our studies. Here's the link. I found out that an experiment using gene therapy to help chronic pain patients is being done. Its a complicated process being done with rats. A viral vector( a tool used to deliver genetic material to cells)is cultured to carry the prepro-b-endorphin gene to primary sensory neurons. The viral vector is targeting specific opiate receptors and causes them to activate. The vector is injected into the rat's spinal fluid once. This one injection left the rat pain free for up to three months.
This article I think will give you a taste of what is possible with gene splitting. Its also describes some great research being done for controlling pain. Currently chronic pain is masked with powerful opiates that have severe side affects on the patient and our society.
The biggest criticism for gene therapy is surrounded around the question of being ethical or unethical. To me it's a better option than using stem cells. I'm glad the research is being done. I personally like to have options and feel like a person should have the right to choose as many treatment options as possible.
http://www.news-medical.net/news/2008/01/23/34661.aspx
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There are shots now for back pain-I don't know if they are used anywhere else in the body. They use facet shots in the back to help with the inflammation,so it can help to relieve the pain in some people. There are also Rhysotomies- burning the outer sheath around the nerves, to block the pain; and those can last up to eighteen months.
ReplyDeleteI think that reseach on things such as gene therapy need to be done. I don't think that a study can be unethical if there is compliance by the person that is being tested. I think that research like this is greatly needed, and I hope that it gets more funding so it can be further researched.
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