Question

What is the advantage of using stem cells for gene therapy or gene editing?

Short answer

The reproducing property of stem cells finds application in gene therapy or gene editing, which can continuously produce protein products.

Step-by-step solution

Stem cells

Stem cells are actively replicating cells that can differentiate into other body cells. There are two different properties present in stem cells, such as totipotency and pluripotency.

The property of stem cells that can develop into a complete organism is known as totipotency. The property of stem cells that can get differentiated into a particular type of cells is known as pluripotency.

Application of stem cells in gene therapy 

Stem cells are a better option as a tool in gene therapy. Gene therapy is a method to treat the defective gene with the healthy gene to produce a healthier protein that fixes the body's metabolism.

Here, the gene products have to be made continuously to fix the disease state of the body in which stem cells are being employed.

Application of stem cells in gene editing 

Gene editing involves altering the gene by introducing a cut in the DNA and replacing the damaged segment. The self-replication characteristics of stem cells are used in the gene-editing technique to create protein molecules continually.

Here, stem cells remain active and uninterruptedly produce protein products due to their self-maintaining property.