Genes are an important part of the body. They control the production of particular proteins that help carry out important functions in the body. Genes control proteins that help repair skin and bones, heal wounds, and carry oxygen to the lungs and the rest of the body. When a person recovers from an inherited disease, their genes are damaged or mutated and the production of certain proteins may reach dangerous levels or be blocked, causing symptoms or putting their life at risk. Researchers attempt to treat these diseases by replacing damaged or missing genes with healthy genes (Gene Therapy Research). This procedure is called gene therapy. Although controversial, gene therapy is finding a cure for many types of diseases. Diseases such as cancer and AIDS are known to be incurable, but with gene therapy, perhaps one day this will change. There are interesting lines of research that show impressive results in various studies conducted by many scientists and institutes. Gene therapy first appeared in the 1990s when scientists successfully treated a four-year-old girl named Ashanti Desilva. Desilva had a type of SCID called ADA-SCID. The disease has been called "Bubble Boy" disease because people with the disease have little or no immune system against germs and bacteria. Desilva was not completely cured of ADA-SCID, but her symptoms were managed enough that she was able to live as close to a normal life as someone with the disease could (Update: Genius genetic). While Dysilva's success story opened a window for gene therapy, not every case had such a successful ending. Towards the end of the decade, Jesse Gelsinger, an 18-year-old teenager who was participating in a gene therapy experiment... middle of paper ...... and the cell is removed from the patient. and change the genes and then put them back into the patient's body. In situ is applied with a vector placed directly into the damaged tissue. In vivo therapy involves inserting the vector directly into the patient's bloodstream. Works Cited “Update: Genetic Engineering”. Problems and controversies recorded: n. page. Problems and controversies. Facts On File News Services, July 15, 2009. Web. December 6, 2010. “Human Genome Research.” Problems and controversies recorded: n. page. Problems and controversies. Facts On File News Services, August 1, 2007. Web. December 10, 2010. “Gene Therapy Research.” Problems and controversies recorded: n. page. Problems and controversies. Facts On File News Services, July 18, 2005. Web. December 10. 2010. .