Genetic Therapy – Take Online Courses. Earn College Credit …

Genetic therapy attempts to remedy genetic disorders through the application of new genes. If you're interested in pursuing a career in medical or biological research, continue reading about this field to determine if it's a good fit for you.

Genetic therapists find ways to cure harmful genetic flaws by replacing a non-functioning or mutated gene with a normal gene. These scientists use vectors, which are often viruses, to transfer a replacement gene into the appropriate cell. Genetic therapy techniques may eventually cure genetic disorders that currently affect thousands of people around the world, but the field is still in the early stages of development. Therefore, very little specific information about gene therapy is available. However, Education-Portal.com has some information about related academic programs and career opportunities that you could find useful if you're interested in learning more about this field.

Educational programs in gene therapy are only available at the doctoral degree level, but undergraduate programs in biology and molecular biology may explore topics related to the field, including gene expression, cell structure and genetic mutations. Entry into doctoral programs is highly competitive and primarily offered by some of the most prestigious universities in the United States.

The rigorous curriculum of a doctoral genetic therapy program covers advanced topics in cellular biology and genetics. Students take courses in cellular life cycles, virology, biological imagery, gene development and molecular evolution. Many of these programs host gene therapy research centers that focus on genetic cures for cancer, cystic fibrosis, tuberculosis or HIV. The articles listed below examine degree programs that are directly related to gene therapy, including doctoral programs in genetics, molecular biology and medical science.

The articles in this section include information about online classes and programs that cover topics related to gene therapy, like bioinformatics, DNA replication and computational biology. Review the articles below for more details about online learning programs.

Graduates of a genetic therapy program can pursue scientific positions or roles within research and academia. Medical scientists study health problems and develop treatments or vaccines designed to eliminate or slow the onset of disease. Biological scientists who specialize in genetics study the function of different genes and report research findings; some of these scientists develop potential treatment plans for people with genetic disorders. The following pages include information about careers in genetic therapy. You can also learn more about related employment opportunities in medical genetics and genetic counseling.

Job prospects for researchers in the genetic therapy field should be good, as the field continues to expand. As of July 2011, there are no organizations offering accurate information on the salaries of professional genetic therapists. However, this field overlaps with those of medical and biological scientists. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual salary for medical scientists was $76,980 in 2012. The BLS also indicated that the median annual wage for biological scientists - a category that includes geneticists - was $72,700, as of the same year (www.bls.gov).

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Genetic Therapy - Take Online Courses. Earn College Credit ...