Gene therapy is an experimental technique that replaces a faulty gene in a cell, or adds a new gene to cure or prevent disease. In the future, this technique may allow doctors to treat a disorder instead of using medicines or surgery. Researchers are testing several approaches to gene therapy, including replacing a mutated gene that causes disease, deactivating a mutated gene that is not properly functioning, or introducing a new gene into the body to help fight a disease.
Although gene therapy is a promising treatment option for a number of diseases, the technique is still under study to make sure that it will be safe and effective. Gene therapy is currently only being tested for the treatment of diseases that have no other cures.