Here’s the sixth piece from my new BBC column
Every year, millions of people are born with debilitating genetic disorders
, a result of inheriting just one faulty gene from their parents. They may have been dealt a dud genetic hand, but they do not have to stick with it. With the power of modern genetics, scientists are developing ways of editing these genetic errors and reversing the course of many hard-to-treat diseases. These gene therapies
exploit the abilities of viruses – biological machines that are already superb at penetrating cells and importing genes. By removing their ability to reproduce, and loading them with the genes of our choice, we can transform viruses from causes of disease into vectors for cures. After a few shaky starts, some of these approaches are beginning to hit their stride. Thirteen children with SCID
, an immune disorder that leaves people fatally vulnerable to ...
