Can a person have more than two alleles for a single gene?

Should gene technology be used for gene therapy? Why or why not?

• Therapy vs. Enhancement Scientists in New Jersey have recently inserted a gene to create a mouse with increased capacity for learning and memory -- basically, a gene that increased the animal's intelligence quotient (IQ). Normal, average human IQ is about 100. Sometimes IQ can go up to the 130s, 140s, 150s, etc. An IQ of about 70 or below is considered to indicate mental disability. Although currently, it is highly theoretical and perhaps impossible, it might in the far future become possible to insert a human gene identified through the Human Genome Project to increase human IQ by 30 points. Consider these two scenarios: A couple has a 5-year-old son with Downs syndrome with an IQ of 70. They want to use gene therapy to insert a gene to increase the IQ of their son from 70 to 100 in order for him to function normally. This is considered gene therapy, where technology is used to help a person function better. A second couple has a 5-year-old son with an IQ of 120. They want to use the technology to bring their son's IQ up to 150. They feel he would have a better chance to get accepted to a more prestigious university. This is called gene enhancement, where technology is used to help a person who is already at or above functioning levels to enhance a particular characteristic even more.

• Answer:

  In the early stage of the development of technology, I think the cases where it might help people achieve a "normal" life would be a better use of the technology than in cases where it might help them achieve an "extraordinary" life. It's sort of a matter of potential risk versus potential benefit. There are risks associated with gene therapy / gene transfer technology. Maybe in the distant future it will be easy and risk-free, but that isn't the case now and probably won't be for a long time.