Hopes raised for new genetic therapy to prevent inherited diseases
by Ian Sample, science editor from on (#7P5B)
Scientists able to 're-write' errors in mitochondrial DNA in mice, increasing the possibility of a similar treatment to prevent disease in humans
Researchers in the US have raised hopes for a simple genetic therapy that could prevent devastating diseases being passed on from mothers to their children.
A team at the Salk Institute in California demonstrated in mice that a single injection into embryos could rewrite faults in the DNA of mitochondria, the biological batteries that are needed to keep tissues healthy.
