For the first time ever European scientists may perform gene editing on a patient's own DNA in order to cure a blood disorder called beta thalassaemia. That means there is no need for another human donor.
Baylor College of Medicine's Blood Disorder specialist Dr. Vivien Sheehan says the procedure looks promising.
“It could definitely cure beta thalassaemia, sickle cell disease and certain cancers. But what we don’t know is how safe it would be. For example, there will be an off-target effect that could make a change in the DNA it didn’t mean to make the change.” And that could cause cancer. And that is why the FDA hasn’t approved it for the U.S..