Final answer:
Gene therapy may be used to fight cancer by inserting genes that inhibit cell division or enhance the immune response, focusing on the primary function of tumor suppressor genes, which is to stop uncontrollable cell division.
Step-by-step explanation:
Gene therapy holds promise for cancer treatment and can be used to introduce genes into cells with various therapeutic effects. One approach is to insert genes that enhance the immune response against cancer cells, by stimulating the immune system to attack cancer more effectively. Some emerging therapies focus on targeted therapy, which involves designing drugs based on gene expression patterns within individual tumors, aiming to treat the disease without harming healthy cells.
The primary function of tumor suppressor genes is to prevent uncontrollable cell division, which can lead to cancer. Therefore, the correct option from the provided choices would be: A) Inhibit cell division, to suppress the growth of tumors. Gene therapy directed at enhancing tumor suppressor gene function or repairing defective tumor suppressor genes could potentially inhibit the proliferation of cancer cells, offering a strategic approach to cancer treatment.