Doctoral Degrees (Philosophy)
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Browsing Doctoral Degrees (Philosophy) by Subject "Adult stem cells -- Therapeutic use"
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- ItemA utilitarian assessment of the relevance of genetic therapies for HIV-AIDS in Africa, with special reference to the situation in Kenya(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University., 2020-03) Obengo, Tom Joel; Van Niekerk, Anton A.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Philosophy.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: As African countries continue to bear the largest global burden of HIV-AIDS, the use of Highly Active Antiviral Treatment (HAART) for suppression of viral multiplication is the best available treatment option in which one is advised to take a dose at least once a day for the rest of his or her life. Of the HIV-infected number people globally, some are well into their second decade of treatment with these antiretroviral drugs. Although the survival rates and the quality of life for HIV-AIDS patients have been significantly improved by the intervention, missing the pills for a number of days unleashes a rapid viral replication. Additionally, some patients experience adverse effects which may interfere with their usual daily activities or lifestyles, leading to poor adherence for some, thereby posing risks of treatment failure of the drugs in use. In other words, with continued treatment interruptions, resistance to these drugs may occur. This means there is still no cure for HIV-AIDS, hence the need to consider alternatives that may become available through emerging technologies such as genetic therapies. This research titled “A Utilitarian Assessment of the Relevance of Genetic Therapies for HIV-AIDS in Africa, with Special Reference to the Situation in Kenya,” seeks to establish if genetic therapies would be suitable for treating HIV-AIDS which affects millions of patients in the world, 70% of whom are in Africa. Kenya is among the ten leading countries in Africa in the prevalence of HIV-AIDS, hence a review of the country’s healthcare system, especially in relation to the problem of HIV-AIDS, including some on-going research. A comprehensive review of genetic therapies shows a distinction between somatic and germline genetic therapies as different but potentially effective cures for the illness. Special attention has been given to CRISPR Cas9 because, so far, it is the only technology close to providing real treatment for HIV-AIDS although there is need for caution and further development. Based on the ethics theory of utilitarianism, the dissertation concludes that genetic therapies are the most appropriate solution to the HIV-AIDS scourge that will have justifiable benefit-sharing for the people, with minimum negative consequences. The therapies are most likely to turn misery into good health, pain into happiness, and shame into dignity. From a utilitarian perspective, when genetic therapies will be made available for the treatment of HIV-AIDS, the patient will be cured, the descendants of the patient will be prevented from inheriting the disease, and future societies will be saved from a deadly disease. Therefore, there is sufficient utilitarian justification in investing both technologically and scientifically in the on-going research into genetic therapies. The dissertation recommends that there be collaborative effort in supporting on-going research into genetic therapies, propagating a positive understanding of genetic therapies, commitment to using the therapies once fully developed, and governments agreeing to take final responsibility with regard to results, whethernegative or positive. In view of the discussions, findings and recommendations of this research, genetic therapies are viewed as the most viable solution to the effects of HIV-AIDS.