Gene Therapy
Genetics and genomics have become of paramount importance in nearly all categories of nursing practice. Mainly, the increasing reliance on genomics is founded on the premise that all diseases and the associated health conditions have a genetic component. Notably, gene therapy, which is a concept of genomics, has provided researchers with the capacity to develop potential curative treatments for a variety of life-threatening illnesses and otherwise fatal health conditions. Gene therapy was once thought of as merely an experimental approach to medicine, but these therapies have increasingly become standards of care (Curran, 2020). Despite being complex both in their scientific developments and their clinical delivery, these therapies are still considered the cornerstone of nursing care. With the decoding of the human genome being central in finding new pathways for disease management, nursing competencies must follow in the suit and cover genetic or genomic information regarding the screening, diagnostics, prognostics, treatment selection, prevention, and monitoring the effectiveness of the treatment options.
Gene therapy references the scientific program that applies genetics to the therapeutic treatment of acquired infections and inherited abnormalities by targeting a gene and modifying its expression (Smith, 2003). Accordingly, the success of gene therapy in the therapeutic intervention of a given health condition implies that medical practitioners do not have to rely overly on drugs or surgical procedures. Instead, the therapies allow the doctors to insert a gene into a patient’s cell to treat the identified disorder. Nurse Key (2017) provides at least three approaches through which the process of gene therapy is undertaken. One, the doctors can replace a mutated gene responsible for the disease with a healthy copy of the gene. Two, the doctor can inactivate or knock out a malfunctioning gene. Three, the doctor can introduce a new gene into the body to aid in fighting disease. Gene therapy is highly promising in the treatment of several diseases, including hereditary disorders, certain types of cancer, and certain types of viral infections. Regardless, the process is also very risky and calls for significant nursing considerations when in use.
The application of gene therapy is intricately tied to the nursing profession. Nursing plays a central role in determining the model of delivering patient care. Considering, therefore, that gene therapy is among the several options of administering patient care, nurses have a responsibility to understand these therapies. The need to safely and completely deliver gene therapies requires that the nursing providers are provided with exclusive training in the field of gene therapy (Calzone et al., 2010; Panel & Established by Consensus, 2008). Such training is focused on the science and technology of gene therapy, nursing implications for gene therapy, and the potential side effects or adverse effects of gene therapy (Panel & established by Consensus, 2008). Basic knowledge of gene transfer and gene editing processes is vital because such knowledge can be relied upon when choosing the right form of medication.
Furthermore, for nurses to take care of persons, families, communities, or even broader populations, they are required to demonstrate proficiency in adopting genetic information and genetic concepts in their respective areas of practice. Based on a study by Calzone et al. (2010): 1) the nurses with a fundamental understanding of genetic and genomic information can quickly identify the genetic or the genomic bases of health or illnesses for which a patient is seeking care. Through this knowledge, nurses can quickly identify the variables that impact a patient’s response and the most appropriate model of care delivery that should be used for the patient. 2) Knowledge of genetics also enables the nursing providers to recognize newborns who are at risk of morbidity or mortality as a consequence of identifiable genetic errors. 3) Nurses can use genetic and genomic knowledge to establish the risks of developing hereditary types of cancers in patients, particularly adolescents. This knowledge could also be useful in identifying couples who stand the highest risk of bearing a child with genetic complications. 4) Knowledge about gene therapies is a guide to the nurses seeking the appropriate intervention strategies for hereditary conditions and certain health conditions such as cardiovascular diseases. 5) This knowledge can also be taken as a guide in the selection of drugs or the right dosage for treating adults with cancer. 6) Nurses can use genetic or genomic information on the risks, limitations, and benefits of gene therapy when counseling patients or when seeking their informed consent for participation in genetic research. 7) Information in gene therapy is indispensable for nurses as they would need it to answer the patients’ and/ or guardians’ questions on genetic and genomic procedures or services.
As the field of gene therapy continues to expand in nursing, there are challenges that it poses to the nurses in their roles. Essentially, find it to be challenging adhering to the ethical and regulatory guidelines surrounding gene therapy. Also, the need to acquire detailed knowledge of gene transfer and the associated safety issues while using safety issues (Curran, 2020). Further, nurses may be unable to monitor unspecified symptoms of arising from gene therapy, and therefore fail to provide non-standard care for patients. Regardless of the highlighted drawbacks of gene therapy to nursing practice, the role of a nurse in gene therapy remains important for patient safety and the coordination of all the procedures of gene therapy.
References
Calzone, K. A., Cashion, A., Feetham, S., Jenkins, J., Prows, C. A., Williams, J. K., & Wung, S. F. (2010). Nurses transforming health care using genetics and genomics. Nursing outlook, 58(1), 26.
Curran, K. (2020, June 8). The science, the history and the future of gene therapy. Rising Tide Biology. https://www.risingtidebio.com/what-is-gene-therapy-uses/
Nurse Key. (2017, May 9). Gene therapy and Pharmacogenomics. https://nursekey.com/gene-therapy-and-pharmacogenomics/
Panel, C., & established by Consensus, O. I. (2008). Essentials of genetic and genomic nursing: Competencies, curricula guidelines, and outcome indicators.
Smith, K. R. (2003). Gene therapy: theoretical and bioethical concepts. Archives of medical research, 34(4), 247-268.