CRISPR gene therapy improves vision in people with inherited blindness [Video]

A clinical trial called Brilliance, which included 14 participants, showed that CRISPR gene editing led to improved vision in people with inherited blindness. Mass Eye and Ear researchers said their findings support further research into CRISPR therapies for inherited retinal disorders. The results of 11 participants showed improvement in vision.

Also, they noted, this trial involved the first patient ever to receive a CRISPR-based investigational drug directly into the body.

Principal investigator Eric Pierce pointed out that the trial shows that gene therapy for hereditary vision loss is a worthy pursuit for future research. He believes the early research is promising.

“It’s a big deal to hear how thrilled they were to finally be able to see food on their plates,” said Pierce. “These …