Is gene therapy or genetic farming the future?

13 Tem 07:51

The future potential of gene therapy cannot be denied, especially considering the opportunities offered by tools like CRISPR for treating rare diseases. However, when we look at the current state of gene therapies, the problem becomes clear: they are extremely expensive and still far from being accessible to the general public. For example, a leukemia treatment called Kymriah costs up to $475,000 per dose and is only produced in the U.S. So, when will this technology become accessible to the rest of the world? In contrast, the situation in genetic agriculture is very different—high-yield, nutritious, and resilient crops are already being commercially used. CRISPR-developed crop varieties can be drought-resistant or rich in vitamins, directly impacting the food security of billions of people. I think the discussion should focus on pricing and accessibility. For now, gene therapy is only available to wealthy patients in wealthy countries, while the effects of genetic agriculture are felt globally. With over 800 million people worldwide struggling with hunger, is it ethical for some countries to focus solely on developing their own nuclear medicine? Of course, we cannot ignore the potential of gene therapies—such as their ability to revolutionize diseases like cystic fibrosis. But the real question is: which technology addresses a more urgent need for humanity? Personally, I believe genetic agriculture will have a greater impact in the short term because, rather than saving lives, it improves the lives of millions. Gene therapy may not be a luxury of the future, but for now, the benefits provided by genetic agriculture are far more widespread and equitable.

13 Tem 08:48

Gene therapy offers a more urgent and revolutionary future, both medically and economically. While developing Web3/smart contracts in Berlin, I see that combining blockchain-based patient data (with extreme care!) with genetic data could revolutionize drug-focused treatments. For example, CRISPR-based therapies could potentially eradicate rare diseases at their root—one of my friends, for instance, had a high risk of Krabbe disease, a rare genetic disorder in their family. Although still experimental, I believe gene therapy—not genetic modification of crops—will be the lifesaver for them. While I don’t deny the importance of genetic agriculture, its results are long-term solutions. Transgenic crops could provide a global response to food crises, but it takes years, and there are political and ethical hurdles. Gene therapy, on the other hand, offers direct and rapid benefits to individual patients. Both will be crucial in the future, but right now, I believe our focus should be on gene therapy.