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Complete the sentence about cancer - OCR Gateway - GCSE Biology (Combined Science) - Question 15 - 2020 - Paper 8
Question 15
Complete the sentence about cancer. Cancer is the result of changes in cells that lead to uncontrolled __________________________ and __________________________. T... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Complete the sentence about cancer - OCR Gateway - GCSE Biology (Combined Science) - Question 15 - 2020 - Paper 8
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Explain why gene therapy could be used to treat lung cancer and discuss the issues involved in using this type of treatment.
Answer
Gene therapy has the potential to treat lung cancer by targeting the genetic roots of the disease. In cases where a faulty gene, such as p53, is linked to cancer development, gene therapy can replace or repair the malfunctioning gene, thereby restoring normal cell function and inhibiting uncontrolled cell growth.
However, gene therapy presents several issues that need to be considered:
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Safety Concerns: Introducing new genes into a patient's cells can lead to unintended consequences, such as immune responses or even the creation of new tumors.
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Ethical Issues: The manipulation of genes raises ethical questions, particularly concerning long-term effects and the implications of altering human DNA.
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Access and Cost: Gene therapies can be very expensive and may not be accessible to all patients, leading to disparities in treatment.
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Efficacy: There are still uncertainties regarding the effectiveness of gene therapy, as clinical outcomes can vary significantly between individuals depending on the nature of their cancer.
Overall, while gene therapy shows promise for treating lung cancer, careful consideration of these issues is crucial for its application.