Scientific Article Analysis
Topic: Genetic traits in sexual organisms.
Article: 1 shot of gene therapy and children with congenital blindness can now see.
Summary: This study was conducted by researchers in the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and they used gene therapy to mprove vision in five children and seven adults. A boy, born with a retinal disease that would eventually make him blind, has now regained some sight, after only one injection of genes that produce light-sensitive pigments in the back of his eye. These patients can not see completely yet, but they are all now able to navigate a low-light obstacle course. Half of them no longer classify as clinically blind. Two of the subjects of this gene therapy were the youngest ever (8 years old) and the oldest ever (44 year old). They received a modified version of the gene via a surgical procedure and injections. The children in the study were the most improved.
Analysis
After the paragraph, identify the approach the researcher or group of researchers took to make their discovery.
- Was the article you selected an example of discovery science or hypothesis based science? Explain
This is an example of hypothesis based science. The scientists reasoned that these light sensitive genes might have a positive effect on bettering sight in patients that have genetic problems in this aspect and they were correct.
- What importance does the research or findings have for humans?
These findings can open the door for further treatments that can eventually possibly cure people of their blindness. These diseases previously had no treatment, and the fact that children responded best to the therapy means that the degeneration of eyesight can be prevented from early childhood.
Bibliographic Citation
Author: Karen Kreeger, Univeristy of Pennsylvania
Journal: Biology News Net
Date: October 25, 2009
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