A molecular biologist named James Watson once said, “we thought destiny was in our stars, but now we know that, to a large extent, our destiny is in our genes". The Oxford Dictionary defines gene therapy as the transplantation of normal genes into cells in place of missing or defective genes in order to correct genetic disorders. Gene therapy has the ability to prevent, treat, and even cure diseases by replacing a defective gene with a stable, healthy one (American Medical Association). Aldous Huxley's Brave New World refers to gene therapy because they program each embryo on how it should live. This essay will first talk about why gene therapy is practiced and how it works. It will then inform the reader about the effects it will have. Diseases such as cancer, AIDS, cardiovascular disease, cystic fibrosis and Alzheimer's could potentially be cured (American Medical Association). However, serious risks may be associated with gene therapy. If a gene is added to DNA, there is a possibility that it will be inserted in the wrong place, which can lead to other harmful effects (gene therapy and children). However, it also has the ability to positively impact patients' lives. Once gene therapy is ready to be practiced in our society, deadly diseases caused by single gene defects will likely be eradicated and suffering will end. While this process is nearly perfected in Brave New World, the effects it has on society are endless. They are able to establish social classes by closely monitoring the embryos: “The lower the caste, the less oxygen,” said Foster (Huxley 14). While this may seem like torture, the world these people live in believes it is for the well-being of every citizen. The director says: “this is the secret of happiness and virtue: loving what you have to do. All conditioning aims at this: to make people love their inevitable social destiny” (Huxley 16). If our society could figure out how to cure certain genetic diseases, it would also have the ability to improve people's lives. Clinical trials are research studies that help doctors determine whether or not a gene therapy approach is safe for people (Mayo Clinic). It is only used for incurable diseases because it is very risky (Genetics Home Reference). However, the Human Genome Project has identified all 25,000 genes. This information will help scientists find more ways to treat and possibly prevent diseases. It will take years before gene therapy is used to treat some diseases, but we are on the path to revolutionizing medicine and how it is used. In the future we may be able to completely abolish some genetic diseases (gene therapy and children). The possibilities are endless. The future of gene therapy will be similar to the society in Brave New World. Throughout the book, they practice this regularly at the Hatching and Conditioning Center in central London. People know exactly how each embryo will come out. “We predestinate and condition also” (Huxley 13). This is gene therapy because in the future it may be possible to cure an unborn fetus for a genetic disease (Gene Therapy and Children). The possibilities really are