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The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the first treatments for sickle cell disease, and one of them uses breakthrough DNA-splitting technology called CRISPR. CRISPR is a gene-editing tool invented in Switzerland that cuts the double-helix of a DNA strand in half, allowing for programmed DNA to be inserted to fix the disease. Sickle cell disease happens when just one gene has an issue, and every single red blood cell in the body is produced in a sickle shape. This can cause a jam of red blood cells in capillaries or arteries, leading to sudden excruciating pain and strokes. Through this new technology, scientists can insert programmed DNA into that split to cure sickle cell disease. The FDA also approved traditional gene therapy to cure the disease. However, both therapies are extremely expensive- in the multi-million dollar range. Unfortunately, the majority of people who have sickle cell disease around the world either do not have the funds to pay for the therapy or are not in an area where it can be treated. Due to these factors, it may be a while before this cure can be used all over the world.
Fact of the Day: Guinness World Records was founded by the managing director of Guinness Brewery in the 1950s.
Quote of the Day: Wisdom is the knowledge of good and evil, not the strength to choose between the two. (John Cheever)
Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Intrepid (adj)- Intrepid means “fearless, bold, and brave.”
In a Sentence: Her college semester abroad sparked a series of intrepid travels around the world.
Lovely Fact of the day
Very interesting and insightful!