Gene editing breakthroughs that cured genetic diseases in 2019

While previously, scientists had to insert a whole new gene into the genome to get the results they want, they can now directly manipulate the genome itself. — AFP

IN the summer of 2019, a mother in Nashville, Tennessee in the United States, with a seemingly incurable genetic disorder finally found an end to her suffering – by editing her genome.

Victoria Gray’s recovery from sickle cell disease, which had caused her painful seizures, came in a year of breakthroughs in one of the hottest areas of medical research – gene therapy.