China Legalizes the World's First Gene Therapy Medication

In summary, the world's first commercially available gene therapy medication has been approved for treating head and neck squamous cell carcinoma in China. The medication is being produced by Shenzhen SiBiono Gene Technologies, with the help of New Brunswick Scientific. This is not genetic engineering, as the medication uses adenoviruses as vectors and is meant to complement conventional treatment methods. The first successful gene therapy trial for the disease ADA SCID took place in 1990.
  • #1
Carlos Hernandez
84
0
Cancer Gene Therapy World's First to Market
Gabe Romain
Betterhumans Staff
Thursday, November 20, 2003, 4:27:07 PM CT

Thursday, November 20, 2003, 4:27:07 PM CT

The world's first commercially available gene therapy medication will soon be treating head and neck cancer in China.

Edison, New Jersey-based research equipment manufacturer New Brunswick Scientific announced that approval to produce the medication for treating head and neck squamous cell carcinoma has been granted to China's Shenzhen SiBiono Gene Technologies.

Complete text at http://www.betterhumans.com/Errors/index.aspx?aspxerrorpath=/Search_Engine_Links/2003/searchEngineLink.article.2003-11-20-5.aspx
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Biology news on Phys.org
  • #2
Well, the correct thing to say is: "It is the first gene therapy drug in the world approved for sale in what is predicted to be a $100 million market in 2004."

The first and successfull gene therapy trial already took place on September 14 1990 on the disease ADA SCID.

I wonder though, how and what are they doing? They are using adenoviruses as the vector, these are not permanent and will disappear from the bodies' cells. So this is not genetic engineering per se, for those who are wondering. It IS a helpfull measure to complement conventional treatment, I imagine..
 
  • #3


This is a significant step forward in the field of medicine and gene therapy. The legalization of this medication in China marks a major milestone in the development and use of gene therapy for treating cancer. It is a promising sign for those suffering from head and neck cancer, as well as for the future of gene therapy as a whole.

The fact that this medication is the first to be approved for commercial use is a testament to the progress and advancements made in the field of gene therapy. It is a validation of the potential and effectiveness of this form of treatment, and could pave the way for further research and development in the field.

However, it is important to note that while this is a groundbreaking development, it is still just the beginning. More research and testing needs to be done to fully understand the long-term effects and potential risks of gene therapy. It is also crucial for proper regulations and guidelines to be in place to ensure the ethical and responsible use of this technology.

Overall, this news is a positive and exciting development in the world of medicine and cancer treatment. It brings hope to those suffering from head and neck cancer and opens up new possibilities for the use of gene therapy in treating other diseases. With proper caution and continued research, gene therapy has the potential to revolutionize the way we approach and treat illnesses.
 

1. What is gene therapy medication?

Gene therapy medication is a type of treatment that uses genetic material, such as DNA or RNA, to treat or prevent diseases. It works by introducing new or modified genes into a person's cells to compensate for abnormal or missing genes that are causing the disease.

2. How does China's legalization of gene therapy medication affect the rest of the world?

China's legalization of gene therapy medication is a major milestone in the medical world. It paves the way for more research and development in this field, and potentially opens up new treatment options for patients worldwide. It also puts pressure on other countries to follow suit and legalize gene therapy medication for their own citizens.

3. What makes China's gene therapy medication the first in the world?

China's gene therapy medication, called Glybera, is the first to receive official approval for market use in any country. This means that it has undergone extensive clinical trials and has been deemed safe and effective for treating specific genetic diseases. Other countries may have approved gene therapy treatments for research purposes, but China's Glybera is the first to be officially approved for commercial use.

4. What are the potential risks and benefits of gene therapy medication?

The potential benefits of gene therapy medication are significant, as it offers the possibility of treating and even curing genetic diseases that were previously untreatable. However, there are also risks involved, such as unforeseen side effects or the potential for the genetic material to integrate into unintended areas of the body. It is important for thorough research and testing to be conducted before gene therapy medication is made available for widespread use.

5. What are the ethical concerns surrounding gene therapy medication?

As with any new medical technology, there are ethical concerns surrounding gene therapy medication. These include issues such as access and affordability, potential discrimination based on genetic information, and the long-term impact on future generations. It is important for these concerns to be addressed and monitored as gene therapy medication becomes more widely available.

Similar threads

Baby Superman born in Berlin.
    • Biology and Medical
Replies
2
Views
11K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top