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

On the other, the promise of modern science — gene therapies, personalized medicines, the hope of a cure. —Judy Stecker, STAT, 27 Feb. 2026

For that reason, Carole Nuechterlein, head of Roche Ventures, favors classic small-molecule drugs in the clinic over more expensive gene therapy approaches that many hospitals can’t afford. —Noelle Harff, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Feb. 2026

Doctors said growing the technology depends on more funding for pediatric research and policies that expand access to personalized gene therapies. —Stephanie Stahl, CBS News, 26 Feb. 2026

But more than half of all the facilities that her organization is aware of only deliver one type of gene therapy. —Sydney Lupkin, NPR, 24 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1970, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for gene therapy

• brachytherapy
• chemotherapy
• cryotherapy
• hydrotherapy
• hypnotherapy
• monotherapy
• phototherapy
• psychotherapy
• sclerotherapy
• immunotherapy
• pharmacotherapy
• physiotherapy

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