As the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent vaccine development showed us, viruses and their components can both cause disease and help prevent it. While genetic illnesses are not born from a viral infection, scientists have found in recent years that viruses like adeno-associated virus (AAV) and lentivirus might be the key to solving these stubborn diseases. Specifically, they serve as the primary delivery vehicle for treatment. After gutting them of their native genetic material, scientists exploit their infectious nature to plant therapeutic genetic sequences in patients'cells to either augment or silence problem genes and restore normal function.
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