Scientists to start trials for treatment to overcome inherited disease that affects 300000 newborn babies a yearScientists are finalising plans to use gene therapy to treat one of the world’s most widespread inherited diseases – sickle cell anaemia. The technique could begin trials next year,say researchers.approximately 300000 babies are born globally with sickle cell disease. The condition causes red blood cells to deform, triggering anaemia, or pain,organ failure, tissue damage, and strokes and heart attacks. In the west,patients now live to their 40s thanks to the availability of blood transfusions and other treatments. But in Africa most still die in childhood.
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Source: theguardian.com