how are viruses use in gene therapy?

Question

how are viruses use in gene therapy?

Answer 1

Not only retroviruses, but any virus with the ability to insert its own DNA into a cell's genome, may potentially be used. Examples being used currently are retroviruses, adenovirus, and lentivirus. The point of this is that you can insert genes that patient may otherwise be missing, and they can produce proteins and enzymes that they were not able to before.

An actual example is research in severe combined immune deficiency syndrome (SCIDS), in which the principal disorder is that the patient is missing the blood enzyme adenosine deaminase. They have actually successfully replaced the gene responsible for producing adenosine deaminase (through viral gene therapy), and thus corrected the immune disorder, which was previously untreatable and terminal before this breakthrough.

Answer 2

they use special viri...retrovirus...this virus has the special DNA that the body is missing or has a dysfunctional one. the beauty of this retrovirus is that it inserts its genetic information into the cells. so hopefully, the cells have the new genetic information that is necessary for improved life. look up french anderson at USC...too bad he majorly messed up...good scientist...bad person