Gene-Editing

Carlene Knight, 54, is one of the first patients in a landmark study designed to try to restore vision in those who have a rare genetic disease that causes blindness.

Blind Patients Hope Landmark Gene-Editing Experiment Will Restore Their Vision

Rob Stein

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The unprecedented study involves using the gene-editing technique CRISPR to edit a gene while it's still inside a patient's body. In exclusive interviews, NPR talks with two of the first participants.

As part of a clinical trial to treat sickle cell disease, Victoria Gray (center) has vials of blood drawn by nurses Bonnie Carroll (left) and Kayla Jordan at TriStar Centennial Medical Center in Nashville, Tenn.

NPR Health

Gene-Edited 'Supercells' Make Progress In Fight Against Sickle Cell Disease

Rob Stein

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Researchers edited the DNA in bone marrow cells taken from a Mississippi woman with sickle cell disease to produce a treatment that could alleviate the excruciating effects of her inherited illness.

June Wang, a Weill Cornell Medicine lab technician, views a sample of human sperm. She's preparing to try to edit the DNA in the sample with a gene-editing technique called CRISPR.

NPR Health

Scientists Attempt Controversial Experiment To Edit DNA In Human Sperm Using CRISPR

Rob Stein

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NPR visited the only lab in the world known to be trying to use the powerful gene-editing tool CRISPR to modify the DNA in human sperm. If successful, it could be used to prevent genetic disorders.

CRISPR gene-editing technology allows scientists to make highly precise modifications to DNA. The technology is now starting to be used in human trials to treat several diseases in the U.S.

NPR Health

First U.S. Patients Treated With CRISPR As Human Gene-Editing Trials Get Underway

Rob Stein

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This could be a crucial year for the powerful gene-editing technique CRISPR as researchers start testing it in patients to treat diseases such as cancer, blindness and sickle cell disease.