Letter

Risks of gene therapy should be weighed against lack of alternatives for many diseases

BMJ 2005; 330 doi: 10.1136/bmj.330.7494.791-a (Published 31 March 2005)
Cite this as: BMJ 2005;330:791.2

Access to the full text of this article requires a subscription or payment. Please log in or subscribe below.

  1. Robert E MacLaren, MRC research fellow,
  2. Robin R Ali, professor of human molecular genetics,
  3. Adrian J Thrasher, professor of paediatric immunology
  1. Division of Molecular Therapy, Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London EC1V 9EL
  2. Molecular Immunology Unit, Institute of Child Health, UCL, London WC1N 1EH

    EDITOR—Kimmelman provided a comprehensive discussion about the risks and ethics of gene therapy.1 We certainly cannot predict the future, but the risks should be weighed against the complete lack of alternative options for many of the diseases discussed.


    Embedded Image

    Artwork of gene therapy

    Credit: ©JIM DOWDALLS/SPL

    The two cases of …

    Access to the full text of this article requires a subscription or payment

    Subscribe

    Article access

    Article access for 1 day

    Purchase this article for £20 $30 €32*

    The PDF version can be downloaded as your personal record

    * Prices do not include VAT

    Rapid responses

    THIS WEEK'S POLL

    BMJ most popular