Diabetes

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Gene therapy for diabetes

One of the possible future treatments for type 1 diabetes is gene therapy. Researchers have identified a faulty gene which makes people with the gene more likely to develop type 1 diabetes. In the future, this gene could be replaced by a fully-working version of the gene. This could prevent people from getting diabetes.

In theory, gene therapy could even be used on embryos before they were implanted into the womb during in vitro fertilisation treatment.

Is this a step too far for science or a great leap forward for medicine?

Play the videos to hear these people's views.

Emily's view

Priyanka's view

Click here to read Emily's comments

Click here to read Priyanka's comments

What do you think about gene therapy?

What are the benefits and risks of developing gene therapy?
How would you feel if you had a genetic disorder that could not be treated in any other way?
Should research into it be allowed or should it be banned?

You can find out more about gene therapy in Genes and Inheritance

Autoimmune disease

A disorder where the body's immune system behaves abnormally and starts attacking its own cells

Autopsies

The study of the human body to investigate how a disease or injury lead to death

Cardiovascular disorders

Diseases linked to the heart and its blood vessels, for example heart disease and stroke

Embryo

The name for a group of cells that are developing into a fetus. In humans this is from implantation to the 8th week of development

Glossary

A list of often difficult or specialized words with their definitions

Fermentation

Process where microorganisms are cultured so that they reproduce and increase in quantity

Gene

A short piece of DNA which is responsible for the inheritance of a particular characteristic. It codes for the production of a specific protein

Gene therapy

A new, experimental method of fighting disease by replacing a defective gene with a healthy gene

Genetic engineering

A general name for the processes which scientists use to produce desired characteristics or substances that are in short supply, such as human insulin

Glucagon

A hormone produced by the pancreas. It causes the liver to convert glycogen back to glucose and to release glucose into the bloodstream.

Glucose

A type of sugar: a mono saccharide with 6 carbon atoms (a hexose sugar)

Harvested

The process by which a useful substance is extracted

Home Office

The UK government department responsible for regulating the use of animals in scientific research

Hormone

A chemical messenger produced by a particular gland or cells of the endocrine system. Hormones are transported throughout the body in the blood stream but they produce a response only in specific target cells

Hyperglycaemic

This is the term used when the blood glucose level is too high (more than 10 mmol/l)

Hypoglycaemic

This is the term used when the blood glucose level is too low (less than 4 mmol/l)

Immune system

The body's own system for protecting it against disease (where it produces antibodies to attack invading pathogens)

In vitro fertilisation

A process where the egg is fertilised outside of the body and then transferred back into the uterus to develop normally

Insulin

A hormone produced by the pancreas. It allows cells in the body to take in and store glucose.

Liver

A large organ in the upper abdomen which manufactures, stores and breaks down substances as required by the body

Non-animal alternatives

Processes such as cell culture, computer modelling, imaging and microdosing of human volunteers that can give information on potential harmful effects of a substance

Obesity

A disorder where an excessive amount of fat has accumulated in the body. It results when the energy taken in as food is stored in the body instead of being used up through activity

Pancreas

An endocrine gland which produces insulin

Respiration

The biochemical process by which the cells in the body releases energy

Sterile

Uncontaminated by microorganisms

UK Law [for animal testing]

Animal welfare is regulated in the UK by the Animal (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986