[Research in gene therapy--its status in Germany].

Progress in mammalian molecular biology and in the analysis of the human genome has allowed to identify the causes of an increasing number of human diseases in recent years. Newly developed gene transfer techniques were reason to implement new therapeutic concepts. By means of viral vectors or other transfer vehicles genes can be introduced into cells of the human body in order to replace a deficient function (in inherited diseases) or to play a role in defending the body (against cancer or, in the cardiovascular field, eventually by preventing restenosis). Despite considerable achievements of current DNA transfer technologies it seems premature to qualify gene therapy already as a new medical practice. The development in Germany is characterized by a late start in this field of research. The number of projects is correspondingly small. However, it may be expected that newly initiated governmental support of gene therapy research will lead to an expansion of the activities in this area.