Outline of a Research Paper

Outline: The following outline describes the components of a paper. Complete the
following components of this outline based on your topic.

I. Title: Gene therapy

II. Introduction: Imagine living in a world where if you developed cancer all you had to do is get
a shot at the doctors office. As easy as that, just to cure a very serious disease, well this could
be a reality thanks to gene therapy. Gene therapy is a fairly new technique that helps by
inserting normal or healthy genes to correct disorders. (According to worldbook database) The
first treatments were given in 1990 and since that, scientists have wanted to figure out its
hidden potential such as its possible aid in curing incurable hereditary diseases. Therefore gene
therapy has and will play a big role in in the development of future medical practices.

ATTENTION-GETTER (first 1 -2 sentences of paper):
SPECIFIC POINTS (3-5 sentences):
THESIS (SO WHAT?) one sentence summarizing what your paper is about in 3
rd
POV:


III. Body Paragraphs: During the body of the paper you should make the specific points that
relate to the purpose statement. You may choose to make 1 3 paragraphs for each point. Be
sure that each paragraph has a topic sentence, meaning the first sentence of each paragraph
should describe what the paragraph is about. Each sentence in the paragraph should then relate
to the topic sentence. For this outline, write the topic sentence for each of at least five different
points that you plan to make/describe in the paper; add additional subheadings as necessary (at
least two).
I. What is gene therapy:
1. Some background info on genes:
a. Definition of gene therapy
b. Info on gene and mutation
2. Explanation on how it works
a. Through injection
b. Replaces bad genes
II. There are two types of gene therapy:
1. Somatic gene therapy
a. Uses body cells
b. Currently in use
2. Germline gene therapy
a. Uses reproductive cells
b. Insert & changes genes
III. What is the history of gene therapy:
1. Past trials
a. The trial of 1990
b. French trial (2000)
2. What are some setbacks of therapy:
c. Death of teen
d. Infants develop of leukemia
IV. How will gene therapy play a role in the future of medicine:
1. Practices
a. Popular & easy injections
b. New techniques
2. Possible Research
c. New vectors
d. Cures to incurable
V. What are some concerns with gene therapy:
1. Ways Administering
a. Unsafe vectors
b. Possible reactivation
2. Unknown variables
c. Imprecise
d. Immune system attack



IV. Conclusion: Now a days gene therapy could open the door to new techniques and
procedures that could possibly cure disorders. With more research and development of
things such as vectors and carriers, gene therapy could become an easy and effective
procedure. Although there have been some setbacks and unfortunate disasters, it is possible
that sometime in the near future if someone you love develops a life threatening condition,
gene therapy could be their answer.