Most recently, gene therapy has restored the immune system in two children with severe combined immuno-deficiency, SCID. The trial was conducted in Paris, France, and after two years of study, the two are presenting a normal immune system, no longer living in "bubbles". There have been many in-vitro gene transfer studies as well as those conducted in animals for countless diseases. Granted, such studies are a far cry from an actual FDA approved procedure, but the potential is there. The death of the patient last year was clearly a setback to gene therapy, but it is questionable whether blame lies in the theory or the practice of the theory for that death. It will take many more successful studies till the procedure becomes run of the doctors office, but I think it will happen sooner than 25 years.
As for residency programs, the American Board of Medical Genetics accredits clinical medical genetics programs. A listing of these programs can be found at
http://www.faseb.org/genetics/ashg/tpg99/98tpgmen.htm. A FRIEDA Online search displayed 44 programs in the specialty of Medical Genetics. Since it is a voluntary listing, I am assuming the ABMG listing is more complete. It is difficult to say which of these programs have an emphasis or even rotations in Gene Therapy. That would require a more thorough search, or, if I am lucky, an insider perspective.
As far as Celera?s work is concerned, once they have repeated their complete sequencing effort in couple dozen more persons, their work will show up in the form of diagnostic kits within five years.
Since I am early in my medical career, I have the luxury of being able to wait and see which direction the research takes. But it is definitely interesting.
Thanks for the reply.
[This message has been edited by Blueprint (edited 05-12-2000).]
[This message has been edited by Blueprint (edited 05-12-2000).]
