gene therapy vs genetic engineering

[af malik]

Hi,
tell me what is the basic difference between gene therapy and genetic engineering? if there is no any difference between the two then why it is given a separate name? why it is an ethical issue whereas genetic engineering is not?
bye.

[danfive]

Gene therapy is meant to fix a condition (disease state) by affecting target tissues and either turning gene expression on or off; this change is meant to alleviate a condition.
You don't breed and create a new strain or generation of this organism

While Genetic Engineering is more lab based--like using Recombinant DNA technology to permanently change a gene or expression of a gene--creating a new strain; it also includes causing random DNA mutations and isolating mutants (heterozygotes and homozygotes) with a breeding program (look up Reverse Genetics).
You do create a new strain, mutant and it will breed and pass the genes of interest to next generation (unless you get fancy and make it sterile on purpose).

[here444]

nice, you're pretty smart

[Stevecolacurcio]

Gene therapy will very likely be marketed and promoted in much the same way chemical medicine. genetic engineering technological advance for not only the success of our species, but also for enhancing the health of our population.