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gene therapy
noun
: the insertion of usually genetically altered genes into cells especially to replace defective genes in the treatment of genetic disorders or to provide a specialized disease-fighting function
gene therapist
noun
Examples of gene therapy in a Sentence
advances in the science of gene therapy
Recent Examples on the Web
Nearly 50 years later, Orkin’s research has led to the first gene therapy using CRISPR to treat sickle cell disease.
—TIME, 17 Apr. 2024
Prominent gene therapy researcher Kathy High also left last year, after joining in 2021.
—Meghana Keshavan, STAT, 10 Apr. 2024
Several companies are pursuing gene therapies for this same cause of deafness.
—Emily Mullin, WIRED, 24 Jan. 2024
Identifying specific genes responsible for genetic disorders opened up novel opportunities for gene therapy research.
—William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024
This was a significant milestone in gene therapy research.
—William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
Bluebird’s stock price fell about 12% on the news, reflecting Wall Street’s concerns about patient demand for the company’s sickle cell gene therapy.
—Damian Garde, STAT, 27 Mar. 2024
The first patient in the trial received the gene therapy in December 2022.
—Emily Mullin, WIRED, 24 Jan. 2024
Both gene therapies are approved for patients ages 12 years and up.
—Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 8 Dec. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'gene therapy.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1970, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near gene therapy
Cite this Entry
“Gene therapy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gene%20therapy. Accessed 4 May. 2024.
Kids Definition
gene therapy
noun
: the insertion of a functioning gene into cells especially to replace a defective gene in the treatment of genetic disorders
Medical Definition
gene therapy
noun
: the insertion of usually genetically altered genes into cells especially to replace defective genes in the treatment of genetic disorders or to provide a specialized disease-fighting function (as the destruction of tumor cells)
gene therapist
noun
More from Merriam-Webster on gene therapy
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about gene therapy
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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