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Gene editing has been under investigation since the 1960s. (Representative Image: AP)
The treatment involves altering DNA to eliminate or mitigate the risk of these diseases, a method that has already shown promise in clinical trials.
In a groundbreaking development in medical science, a new drug is poised to revolutionise treatment for several major diseases, including cancer, heart disease, and blindness. This innovative therapy, which involves editing DNA to correct genetic abnormalities, represents the most significant medical breakthrough since antibiotics.
The British government is investing £1.7 billion (approximately Rs 184 billion) in the development of this drug. Initial results suggest that it not only holds potential for curing cancer – particularly when detected early – but also addresses conditions such as heart disease and blindness. While the treatment shows potential for curing cancer, especially if detected early, a complete cure for blindness remains unconfirmed. Experts anticipate this advancement will be a historic achievement in medical science.
The treatment involves altering DNA to eliminate or mitigate the risk of these diseases, a method that has already shown promise in clinical trials. DNA, which carries our genetic blueprint, determines our susceptibility to various diseases. If DNA is defective, it can increase the risk of conditions such as cancer.
According to a report by Daily Mail, some patients in the UK have successfully undergone this gene-editing treatment, with notable successes including the treatment of hemophilia B in a 31-year-old patient. Scientists project that within the next three years, this therapy could become widely available, potentially saving thousands of lives globally.
Professor Robin Lovell-Badge, a genetic expert at the Francis Crick Institute, described gene editing therapy as “the medicine of the future.” If the therapy continues to prove successful, it could become a groundbreaking treatment, offering new hope and potentially restoring health to millions of patients.
The National Health Service (NHS) is set to further fund research to enhance the therapy’s effectiveness, with plans to make it available to millions globally within the next three years.
Gene editing has been under investigation since the 1960s, but recent advances with the CRISPR-Cas9 system have accelerated progress. This method uses molecular “scissors” to remove and replace faulty DNA, offering new hope for treating a range of genetic disorders.
