There are two types of gene therapy. One is the treatment of somatic cells, which includes all the cells of the body except the sperm and egg cells. This form of gene therapy is a variation of somatic cell gene therapy. The other type of gene therapy is the replacement of germline cells that affect the genetic heritage of offspring. The ultimate outcome of the replacement of an individual's gene through gene therapy would also affect their children.
Gene therapy can be very beneficial to individuals with diseases that cause themselves harm.
One such disease is Lesch-Nyhan disease. Gene therapy for diseases like this would benefit these individuals. Other individuals look at their disease differently. Diseases such as this may not be given the same public understanding for gene therapy as the more deleterious disorders. The Human Genome Project can provide a vast amount of information about humans and the genes involved in diseases.