Genetically engineered bacteria and other microorganisms are currently used to produce human insulin, human growth hormone, a protein used in blood clotting, and other pharmaceuticals, and the number of such compounds could increase in the future.

Without the FDA’s approval, implantation of a genetically modified human embryo is illegal in the USA. However, genetically modifying human embryos for research purposes are permitted, even though such experiments remain ineligible for public funding.

A genetically modified human contains a genetic makeup that has been selected or altered, often to include a particular gene or to remove genes associated with the disease.

Genetically altered embryos can be achieved by introducing the desired genetic material into the embryo itself, or into the sperm and/or egg cells of the parents; either by delivering the desired genes directly into the cell or using the gene-editing technology.

Because people who would be affected by germline gene therapy are not yet born, they can’t choose whether to have the treatment. Because of these ethical concerns, the U.S. Government does not allow federal funds to be used for research on germline gene therapy in people.

The Legal Terrain. Currently, there are few laws, in either the United States or the European Union (EU) regulating animal cloning and the creation of transgenic animals. With patents, researchers can now own and monopolize entire animal species, something unheard of prior to modern genetic engineering.

In germline gene therapy, DNA is inserted into the reproductive cells (eggs or sperm) in the human body. Germline gene therapy will correct the genetic variants of the reproductive cells of an individual, and this would be passed down to future generations.

Potential Disadvantages of Gene Therapy Gene therapy poses a number of risks. The way the genes are delivered and the different vectors may present the following risks. DNA mutations The new gene might be inserted in the wrong location in the DNA, which might cause harmful mutations to the DNA or even cancer.

Germ cells produce gametes and are the only cells that can undergo meiosis as well as mitosis. Somatic cells are all the other cells that form the building blocks of the body and they only divide by mitosis. The lineage of germ cells is called germ line.

Germ cells are a central component of sexual reproduction in animals. Germ cells differentiate to produce male and female gametes, sperm and unfertilized eggs (oocytes or ova), and undergo meiosis to produce a haploid set of chromosomes.

Somatic cells give rise to all non-germline tissues. Mutations in somatic cells are called somatic mutations. Because they do not occur in cells that give rise to gametes, the mutation is not passed along to the next generation by sexual means.

Somatic mutations – occur in a single body cell and cannot be inherited (only tissues derived from mutated cell are affected) Germline mutations – occur in gametes and can be passed onto offspring (every cell in the entire organism will be affected)