Can CRISPR cure sickle-cell disease?

Sickle-cell disease is one of the most common genetic conditions worldwide, with more than 6 million people living with the disease. Three-quarters of them are in sub-Saharan Africa, where childhood mortality due to sickle cell remains high.

Previously, the only curative treatment was a stem-cell transplant, but new trials are investigating the potential of CRISPR–Cas9 gene editing as a tool to cure this chronic condition.

One such trial has already achieved exciting results. For people around the world who are living with sickle cell, these trials could offer hope that long-term cures are just over the horizon.