Gene therapy, by definition, is the introduction of genetic material into human cells for the purpose of treating or curing disease. While (some) vaccines carry genetic material, the expressed protein(s) are not being used to treat or cure anything. They are being used to illicit an immune response for disease prevention. This is what fundamentally makes them different.
🦠Vaccination – prevention
🧬Gene therapy – treatment or cure
As a scientist in the gene therapy field, it is disappointing when I hear the phrase “vaccines are gene therapy” for two reasons.
1️⃣First, the phrase is fundamentally misunderstanding what gene therapy is and how vaccines differ in purpose.
2️⃣Second, it is insinuating that gene therapy is a bad thing but it is in fact one of the coolest new fields of bioengineering with huge potential.
Stick around (or follow) if you want to learn more about the wonders of gene therapy