This is exciting news and demonstrates once again that most biotechnology isn’t morally contentious. A teenager with failing eyesight has had his vision improved by inserting healthy genes to correct a genetically caused disability. From the story: In the trial carried out by a team at the University College of London Institute of Ophthalmology and Moorfields Eye Hospital, the world’s first gene transplant for blindness produced an unprecedented improvement in Steven Howarth’s sight.
And that’s an important point. Gene therapy can be dangerous, as Jesse Gelsinger tragically found out several years ago: It killed him.
The student suffered from a genetic mutation, called Leber’s congenital amaurosis (LCA), which usually begins affecting the sight of sufferers in early childhood and eventually causes total blindness during a patient’s twenties or thirties. Currently, there is no treatment for the condition.
Born with no peripheral or night vision, he noticed a marked improvement after the two-hour operation.”Now, my sight when it’s getting dark or it’s badly lit is definitely better,” he says. “It’s a small change—but it makes a big difference.”
Prof Robin Ali, the head of the team, said the evidence of his improvement was “compelling”. The doctors injected genes only into Mr Howarth’s worst affected eye and used the lowest dose in what was strictly a safety trial.
But this is very hopeful news and a good sign for the future of regenerative medicine.
You have a decision to make: double or nothing.
For this week only, a generous supporter has offered to fully match all new and increased donations to First Things up to $60,000.
In other words, your gift of $50 unlocks $100 for First Things, your gift of $100 unlocks $200, and so on, up to a total of $120,000. But if you don’t give, nothing.
So what will it be, dear reader: double, or nothing?
Make your year-end gift go twice as far for First Things by giving now.
