The European Commission has authorized the first treatment that uses the revolutionary CRISPR technique to edit human DNA. The therapy, called Casgevy, is effective against beta thalassemia and sickle cell anemia, two potentially fatal blood diseases.
More than 8,000 patients in Europe qualify to receive this treatment, according to developer Vertex Pharmaceuticals. Doctor Elena Cela, head of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology at the Gregorio Marañón hospital in Madrid, urges the authorities to adopt the therapy.