What does gene therapy aim to do?

Gene therapy primarily aims to alter genes as a means of treating or preventing disease. This innovative approach involves directly modifying the genetic material within an individual's cells to correct genetic disorders or to enhance the body's ability to fight disease. It can involve replacing a dysfunctional gene with a functional one, repairing or altering the existing genes, or introducing new genes into the body to help combat a condition.

The idea behind gene therapy is based on the understanding that many diseases, including various genetic disorders and some types of cancer, result from defects or malfunctions in genes. By targeting these problems at the genetic level, gene therapy has the potential to offer long-term or permanent solutions rather than simply addressing the symptoms of a disease.

In contrast, other options focus on different aspects of biology and medicine. For instance, organ regeneration deals with the growth of new organs or tissues, improving nutritional value pertains to enhancing food products rather than directly addressing diseases, and isolating specific DNA sequences is more of a research technique than a therapeutic approach. Each of these has its own significance, but they do not align with the primary goal of gene therapy, which is explicitly to modify genes in order to treat or prevent illnesses.