Gene therapy is an emerging, promising field in health care. Although still in investigational trials, gene therapy offers utility in a variety of disease states. This article details hospital and departmental policies and procedures for gene therapy research at a teaching institution. These preliminary guidelines identify the standards of practice at one institution in 1999 and will be refined as systems of practice develop. The guidelines, which exemplify the types of precautions necessary for safely utilizing gene therapy, may be useful to other institutions in the process of developing their own policies.
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