Question

If a virus inserted just upstream of a tumor suppressor gene, would it be likely to cause cancer? Why or why not? Gene therapy using CRISPR could potentially be used in either germline or somatic cells. Which cell type is considered more ethically acceptable for use in gene therapy and why?

Answer 1

No. The virus contains a strong viral promoter that increases the expression of the gene it inserts in front of. Increasing the expression of a tumor suppressor gene is not likely to cause cancer, because the gene product protects from cancer rather than stimulates it but when tumor suppressor genes don't work properly, cells can grow out of control, which can lead to cancer.

The somatic cell type is consoder more ethically acceptable as in this the somatic cells are used but in germline cell type the germ cell which can otherwise give rise to a organism are used so germline cell type use is not ethically acceptable.