total process

here is an image that might help you guys understand the gene therapy process better.

1) a common virus is genetically altered with a human DNA, which can help the patients by changing the DNA in their tissue. first the disease causing virus DNA is removed with a special enzyme, then a human DNA is attached onto the main virus DNA by a protein called DNA ligase. once this is done than a viral vector is formed.

2) the viral vector is introduced into the patient like a vaccine. when the virus reaches its target tissue than it would insert its new DNA into the patient, this would change the human DNA, and thus start the gene therapy process.

3)when the viral DNA has finally been inserted into the human tissue, the new DNA is incorporated into human cell, and will make the protein, or function as the new DNA commands it to. This is also the part of gene therapy that the Olympic supporters most afraid of, because when the DNA is integrated it would be impossible for anyone to find out if that person was born with the DNA or if it was introduced by gene therapy.

well here you have it, the whole process in a nut shell.