It was the simplest idea but one with enormous potential. If a gene is defective in the human body, just replace it with one that works properly. Gene therapy would mean that genetic disorders would become a thing of the past. Cancer would be cured, as would cystic fibrosis and hundreds of other genetic illnesses. Scientists were justifiably excited about the idea but, this enthusiasm that would end up costing one young man his life. Jesse Gelsinger was born with a liver disorder, a rare condition called ornithine transcarbamylase (OTC) deficiency that stops the liver metabolising ammonia. People with the disease can suffer from brain damage or coma. At its most extreme the illness is fatal. Jesse was lucky, able to lead a fairly normal life although he had a daily cocktail of drugs to control his condition. Jesse wanted to help others. When he was offered a chance to take part in a medical trial to test the safety of using gene therapy for OTC deficiency, he was keen to participate. He knew this was not a cure for his condition but that, by volunteering he might be able to help others in the future. Although the concept of gene therapy is simple, the practice of administering the treatment is much more difficult. In order to replace defective genes, doctors must get working ones into the body and to the place where they are needed.
| Title | Horizon - Season 40 Episode 7 : Trial and Error |
|---|---|
| Alternative Titles | BBC Horizon |
| Subtitle Available |
 ETC.
|
| First Air Date | 1964-02-04 |
| Last Air Date | 2024-07-22 |
| Number of Episodes | 1169 |
| Number of Seasons | 60 |
| Genres | Documentary, |
| Networks | BBC Two, |
| Casts | |
| Plot Keywords | , |
Episodes List
-
Horizon Season 40 :Episode 1 The Mystery Of Easter Island The Mystery Of Easter Island
2003-01-09Horizon tells amazing science stories, unravels mysteries and reveals worlds you've never seen before.
-
Horizon Season 40 :Episode 2 Living Nightmare Living Nightmare
2003-01-16Horizon tells amazing science stories, unravels mysteries and reveals worlds you've never seen before.
-
Horizon Season 40 :Episode 3 Averting Armageddon Averting Armageddon
2003-01-23Horizon tells amazing science stories, unravels mysteries and reveals worlds you've never seen before.
-
Horizon Season 40 :Episode 4 Dirty Bomb Dirty Bomb
2003-01-30Horizon tells amazing science stories, unravels mysteries and reveals worlds you've never seen before.
-
Horizon Season 40 :Episode 5 Sexual Chemistry (Update) Sexual Chemistry (Update)
2003-02-13Horizon tells amazing science stories, unravels mysteries and reveals worlds you've never seen before.
-
Horizon Season 40 :Episode 6 The Day We Learned To Think The Day We Learned To Think
2003-02-20Horizon tells amazing science stories, unravels mysteries and reveals worlds you've never seen before.
-
Horizon Season 40 :Episode 7 Trial and Error Trial and Error
2003-02-27Horizon tells amazing science stories, unravels mysteries and reveals worlds you've never seen before.
-
Horizon Season 40 :Episode 8 Earthquake Storms Earthquake Storms
2003-03-06Horizon tells amazing science stories, unravels mysteries and reveals worlds you've never seen before.
-
Horizon Season 40 :Episode 9 Life On Mars (Update) Life On Mars (Update)
2003-03-27Horizon tells amazing science stories, unravels mysteries and reveals worlds you've never seen before.
-
Horizon Season 40 :Episode 10 The Secret Life Of Caves The Secret Life Of Caves
2003-04-03Horizon tells amazing science stories, unravels mysteries and reveals worlds you've never seen before.
-
Horizon Season 40 :Episode 11 God On The Brain God On The Brain
2003-04-17Horizon tells amazing science stories, unravels mysteries and reveals worlds you've never seen before.
-
Horizon Season 40 :Episode 12 Flight 587 Flight 587
2003-05-08Horizon tells amazing science stories, unravels mysteries and reveals worlds you've never seen before.
-
Horizon Season 40 :Episode 13 SARS: The True Story SARS: The True Story
2003-05-29Horizon tells amazing science stories, unravels mysteries and reveals worlds you've never seen before.
-
Horizon Season 40 :Episode 14 The Big Chill The Big Chill
2003-11-13Horizon tells amazing science stories, unravels mysteries and reveals worlds you've never seen before.
-
Horizon Season 40 :Episode 15 The Bible Code The Bible Code
2003-11-20Horizon tells amazing science stories, unravels mysteries and reveals worlds you've never seen before.
-
Horizon Season 40 :Episode 16 Last Flight of the Columbia Last Flight of the Columbia
2003-11-27Horizon tells amazing science stories, unravels mysteries and reveals worlds you've never seen before.
-
Horizon Season 40 :Episode 17 The Hunt for an AIDS Vaccine The Hunt for an AIDS Vaccine
2003-12-04Horizon tells amazing science stories, unravels mysteries and reveals worlds you've never seen before.
-
Horizon Season 40 :Episode 18 Percy Pilcher's Flying Machine Percy Pilcher's Flying Machine
2003-12-11Horizon tells amazing science stories, unravels mysteries and reveals worlds you've never seen before.
-
Horizon Season 40 :Episode 19 Time Trip Time Trip
2003-12-18Horizon tells amazing science stories, unravels mysteries and reveals worlds you've never seen before.
