OAKLAND, California: Scientists for the first time have tried gene editing inside the human body in a bold attempt to permanently change a person's DNA and cure a disease.
The experiment was carried out on Monday, Nov 13, in Oakland, California, on 44-year-old Brian Madeux, who has a rare metabolic disease called Hunter syndrome.
Through an intravenous feed, he received billions of copies of a corrective gene for the disease and a genetic tool to precisely cut his DNA and allow the gene to slip in.
Signs of whether it is working may come in a month. Tests will show for sure in three months.
If successful, it could give a safer, more precise and permanent way to do gene therapy. The treatment is made by Sangamo Therapeutics, which plans to test it for other diseases including hemophilia, a blood clotting disorder.