What is the difference between somatic and germline gene therapy?

Somatic gene therapy and germline gene therapy are two distinct approaches used in gene therapy to treat genetic disorders. The main difference between the two lies in the target cells and the inheritance of the genetic modifications made.

Somatic gene therapy

Somatic gene therapy involves the modification of the genetic material in somatic cells, which are non-reproductive cells in the body. This means that any changes made to the DNA through somatic gene therapy will not be passed on to future generations. Somatic gene therapy is targeted at treating specific tissues or organs affected by a genetic disorder and aims to alleviate symptoms or cure the disease in the individual undergoing treatment.

Germline gene therapy

Germline gene therapy involves modifying the genetic material in germ cells, such as eggs or sperm. This type of therapy leads to heritable changes that can be passed on to offspring. By editing the genetic material in germ cells, germline gene therapy has the potential to eradicate genetic mutations responsible for hereditary diseases from future generations.

However, germline gene therapy raises ethical concerns regarding the permanent alteration of the human germline and the potential for unintended consequences.