What therapeutic approach aims to modify the genetic material of cells to treat a disease?

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Gene therapy aims to treat a disease by adding, removing, correcting or regulating genetic material in a patient's cells. Some treatments use a viral vector to deliver a functional copy of a gene directly into the body. Others take cells, modify them in the laboratory and then reinject them, as in certain immune cell therapies. Genome editing techniques also make it possible to target specific sequences. Gene therapy therefore does not always consist of replacing diseased cells with healthy cells. Its benefits, risks and duration of effectiveness depend strongly on the disease and the method used.