Which of the following is considered a promising treatment for stopping the expression of an unwanted gene?

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Antisense therapy is recognized as a promising treatment for the silencing or reducing the expression of unwanted genes. This approach involves the use of synthetic strands of nucleic acids designed to be complementary to the mRNA of the target gene. When these antisense oligonucleotides bind to the mRNA, they prevent translation into a protein, effectively "turning off" the expression of the gene.

This technique has a wide range of applications, including in genetic disorders and certain types of cancers, where controlling gene expression can have therapeutic benefits. The precision of antisense therapy allows for targeted interventions, minimizing effects on other genes, which makes it a powerful tool in modern medicine.

Gene editing can change the DNA sequence and potentially silence unwanted genes, but its primary role is to modify the genetic code itself rather than simply stopping expression. Cancer immunotherapy leverages the body’s immune system to fight tumors rather than directly targeting gene expression. RNA interference is another method for gene silencing, utilizing natural cellular mechanisms to degrade mRNA; however, antisense therapy is specifically designed for direct and complementary binding to target mRNA.

Overall, the effectiveness and specificity of antisense therapy make it a valuable option for controlling the expression of unwanted genes.

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