[Possible therapy with and limits of gene technology (author's transl)]

This paper is an attempt to discuss hopes and limits of recent advances in genetechnology especially in respect of their medical applications. Although advances in modern biology are enormous no realistic prognoses can be given at the moment to their medical application in correcting inborn errors of metabolism at the level of the gene. However the production by fermentation of biosubstances like insulin, interferon and hormones, just to name a few, is not only possible but already carried out in many laboratories in USA. Therefore therapy of clinical manifestations like metabolic disorders, viral infections and hormone insufficiencies should become feasible based on the nearly unlimited in vitro production of the necessary compounds.