In the British gene therapy approval survey in England, which THREE concerns could explain participants’ hesitation about gene therapy as an alternative to traditional treatments? A) The risks outweigh the benefits. B) Who would regulate the practice; government, doctors, big pharma, religious groups? C) The cost associated with gene therapy is prohibitive. D) The side effects and/or risks of gene therapy are still relatively unknown. E) Altering the genetic make-up of an unborn child would be in effect, playing God.

What this question is really asking

You are choosing three options that describe common reasons people would hesitate to accept gene therapy, especially given the source note that respondents were least supportive of in utero genetic modification.

Matching concerns to what makes gene therapy feel risky or ethically problematic

• A) The risks outweigh the benefits fits because many people judge new medical technologies by a risk vs. benefit trade-off, and if benefits seem uncertain, perceived risk dominates.
• D) Side effects and/or risks are still relatively unknown fits because gene therapies can have uncertain long-term outcomes, so “unknowns” are a straightforward reason for low approval.
• E) Altering the genetic make-up of an unborn child would be, in effect, playing God directly matches the source context about in utero modification being least favored. Ethical objections tend to be strongest when changes affect a developing child and may feel irreversible.

Why the other two are less directly tied to the stated hesitation

• B (regulation) can be a real policy concern, but it is about governance rather than the immediate safety and ethical objections that most directly drive hesitation in surveys.
• C (cost) is also possible in real life, but the prompt emphasizes reluctance to view gene therapy as a “viable alternative” due to worries about the intervention itself, not affordability.

Final selection

Correct choices: A, D, E.