Gene editing treatment shows promise in sickle cell disease fight

Victoria Gray (Sarah Cannon Research Institute)

Scientists are seeing promising early results from the first studies to examine the effects of gene editing on painful, inherited blood disorders that plague millions worldwide, especially black people.

Doctors hope the one-time treatment, which involves permanently altering DNA in blood cells with a tool called CRISPR, may treat and possibly cure sickle cell disease and beta thalassemia.