gene therapy

noun

: the insertion of usually genetically altered genes into cells especially to replace defective genes in the treatment of genetic disorders or to provide a specialized disease-fighting function
gene therapist noun

Examples of gene therapy in a Sentence

advances in the science of gene therapy
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In July, the FDA approved the first gene therapy for children as young as two with sickle cell disease and awarded grants to expand access to care. — ABC News, 16 Oct. 2026 Other technologies covered in these new proposals include solar power and biotechnologies such as cell and gene therapies. — Jon Martindale, PC Magazine, 16 Oct. 2026 Yet the discovery of a curative treatment remained elusive until gene therapy. — Steven Ross Johnson, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026 In related disorders, mice have been treated with gene therapies and an improvement in symptoms noted. — Deepa Fernandes, STAT, 8 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for gene therapy

Word History

First Known Use

1970, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of gene therapy was in 1970

Rhymes for gene therapy

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Browse Nearby Words

Genet
gene therapy
genethliac
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Cite this Entry

“Gene therapy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gene%20therapy. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

gene therapy

noun
: the insertion of a functioning gene into cells especially to replace a defective gene in the treatment of genetic disorders

Medical Definition

gene therapy

noun
: the insertion of usually genetically altered genes into cells especially to replace defective genes in the treatment of genetic disorders or to provide a specialized disease-fighting function (as the destruction of tumor cells)
gene therapist noun

More from Merriam-Webster on gene therapy

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about gene therapy

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