Every cell in the human body receives instructions from our genes about what job each cell should do. Every little detail depends on the instructions of our genes. If a gene or cell is damaged, changes or disappears, this has major consequences on the body and the health of the individual. Genetic disorders are caused by damaged or missing genes and can be life-threatening. They can cause serious illnesses in the individual. Some types of genetic disorders cannot be cured by drug treatment. Medications can help relieve the symptoms of some disorders, but cannot cure the condition. Medications cannot reverse or repair a damaged cell or gene. Scientists and doctors have conducted extensive research to find ways to reverse the negative effects of a damaged gene or to repair a missing or damaged gene in order to cure diseases. This led to the discovery of gene therapy. The main goal of gene therapy is to replace or repair defective genes in the body, in the hope that this will repair the gene defect and, in doing so, cure or at least alleviate the negative effects of the disease. The procedure involves introducing a healing or working gene copy into specific cells of an individual in order to repair or replace a damaged gene. Two main methods have been tried: adding a gene to replace a gene that wasn't working the way it's supposed to, or modifying genes that aren't working properly. Cystic fibrosis, hemophilia and sickle cell disease are among the diseases for which gene therapy has been considered. Incurable diseases for which gene therapy has also been considered include Parkinson's disease, HIV/AIDS, Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, cancer and heart disease. ...... middle of document ...... as this could be very dangerous because it gives an individual the power to change their life when the benefits or consequences of that power are not completely understood or studied from adequately manner. Genetic gene therapy should be limited to the treatment of genetic disorders and should be approached with caution, careful research, and strict guidelines. Works CitedGene Therapy – Treating Disease by Repairing Genes – Joseph Panno, PH.D.http://www.gtherapy.co.uk/http://www.gtherapy.co.uk/pros-and-conshttp://www .gtherapy.co.uk/what-is-gene-therapyhttp://www.gtherapy.co.uk/gene -therapy-ethicshttp://www.macalester.edu/~montgomery/GeneTherapy.htmhttp://www. bio-itworld.com/2014/1/29/gene-therapies-next-Generation.htmlhttp://www. theguardian.com/science/2014/mar/05/hiv-gene-therapy-gm-cells-trial-successhttp://www.ndsu.edu/pubweb/~mcclean/plsc431/students98/fleck.htm