Biopolymers and cell. 1989. Volume 5. № 2. 5 - 16

V. A. Kordium

OBJECTIVES AND PROBLEMS OF GENE THERAPY

Summary

    A range of problems comprising the notion «gene therapy» in the broad and narrow sense has been analyzed. In the broad sense this field of research includes the following components: gene surgery, gene therapy itself; gene prophylaxis, gene diagnosis, gene vaccination, «gene antihumanism», gene engineering of gametogenesis, gametes and zygotes and prenatal gene engineering. Taking into account the components and the range of problems solved by them, the full definition of the field of research has been suggested as well. In its full meaning gene therapy signifies genome identification per individuum followed by correction of hereditary cell apparatus of the whole organism or its separate tissues, elimination of diseases inherent in the patient and prevention of appearance of any novel pathologies with time and in accordance with desire (or in case of need) reconstruction (in human cells) of novel genetic information ensuring the emergence of potentially different phenotypes up to those completely absent in nature in the living and future generations.