Gene therapy. An ethical profile of a new medical territory

From early on, the possibility of genetic intervention in humans has been the subject of philosophical and ethical reflection in the scientific community. It became the object of public debate and parliamentary decision‐making under the rule of law even before the first authorized trials on human subjects could start. This article explains why the debate on germ‐line intervention and genetic enhancement is still ongoing. The focus is on somatic gene therapy. There is a political and academic consensus that it represents an adequate tool for a high‐ranking end if some points are considered and taken into account. But where do we stand and what are the ethical conclusions we can draw from recent clinical experiences? Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.