[Gene therapy].

DNA technology opens up new approaches to the treatment of some hereditary diseases. By means of such techniques as retrovirus-mediated gene transfer, cloned human genes may be introduced into the cell genome to correct the defect present in these inherited disorders. Several ethical issues have been raised in the discussion of human gene therapy. There is general consensus that germline gene therapy should not be applied in humans, as the gene manipulation could be passed on to subsequent generations. As reviewed here, laboratories are focusing on concepts relating to somatic gene therapy. This approach involves the insertion of genetic material into somatic cells and is comparable with organ transplantation.