Final answer:
Gene therapy uses genetic engineering to treat heritable diseases by introducing a functional gene via a viral vector, replacing a faulty gene, and is especially promising for single-gene disorders like sickle cell anemia.
Step-by-step explanation:
Gene therapy is a revolutionary genetic engineering technique that holds the potential to treat heritable diseases like sickle cell anemia. It involves inserting a functional gene, often using a viral vector such as an adenovirus, to replace a faulty or mutated gene responsible for a medical condition.
The introduction of a non-mutated, healthy gene allows for the production of a normal protein that the body's cells may be lacking, therefore correcting the problem at the genetic level. While gene therapy is still largely experimental, advancements in this field are making it a promising treatment for various single-gene disorders.