Limitations of gene therapy: All said and done, we are just in initial stages of gene therapy. In fact, food and drug administration has put halts to some aspects of gene therapy trails on human beings using retrovirus. This became necessary after occurrence of leukemia in patient undergoing gene therapy for combined immunodeficiency. This move even though described as "temporary" is definitely a warning to all the proponents of gene therapy.

A high level committee of medicine observed that overzealous representation of medical gene therapy has obscured the nature of initial studies and has led to the widely held but mistaken perception that clinical gene therapy is already highly successful.

The committee was also criticized the biotechnology industry, noting that overzealous, uncritical reports of clinical results are used by industry to promote investment and perceived dominance.

Ethical, legal and social issues: The planners of US Human Genome Project recognized that information gained from mapping and sequencing, the human genome would have profound implications for individuals, families and society.

In many instances, genetic testing creates situation where there is little precedent and no appropriate gold standard to compare results. For many scenario's it is difficult to know when to use a given genetic test, how to interpret results and how to fully and appropriately provide information for informed consent. Because of unique aspects of genetic testing, supplementary issues of privacy must be considered.

Confidentiality takes an added dimension when applied to genetic testing. Genetic information can be intensely private, and generalization of this knowledge can have implications for patient's extended family as well as his/her assess to health care and employment.

Genetic information is not fundamentally different from other health information except that genes cannot typically be changed and hence can impart a determinate aspect of health. Genetic test results for one person may reveal genetic susceptibilities in parents, siblings of the patient.

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G Mathew. Modern Dentistry- A Genetic Perspective. Pediatric Oncall [serial online] 2008 [cited 2008 January 1];5. Art #1. Available from:

http://www.pediatriconcall.com/fordoctor/diseasesandcondition/PEDIATRIC_DENTISTRY/modern_dentistry.asp

Advance Access: 15th August 2007