Gene Therapy in the Czech Republic

Overview

Gene therapy represents one of the most promising applications of molecular biology and genetic engineering inmedicine. At present its introduction meets series of problems which are of technical, methodological and ethicalnature. Although the research in the field of gene therapy in the Czech Republic is on a good level, there is littlehope that its achievements will be tested in clinical trials in the near future. In the Czech Republic a law enablingthe use of preparations based on the newest biotechnologies in human medicine is missing. Similarly, a productionunit capable of preparing the new gene-based drugs according to the Good Manufactory Praxis is not available andthe State Institute for Control of Drugs has not anyworking group fully qualified for their control. The paper proposesactions aimed at solving the present unfavourable situation. The fact that the interest of clinicians in gene therapyis rapidly growing, and that there are signs of increasing interest of public in its achievements, gives good prospectsfor the introduction of gene therapy into medical praxis in this country in the not very distant future.

Key words:
gene therapy, present problems, situation in the Czech Republic.