Not A Cure, But An Improvement

Genetic researchers in Japan have developed an innovative method for treating Duchenne’s Muscular Dystrophy in dogs. The treatment involves a genetic “patch” that inhibits a portion of the DMD gene, causing the remainder of the gene to express itself as the milder Becker muscular dystrophy. Video of treated and untreated dogs shows noticeable improvements in the treated dogs, but it will be some time before this method can be tested on humans.

It will probably take decades before congenital disabilities can be completely erased from an individual’s DNA, but treatments like this–that trade a severe condition for a milder form–might be much closer to being realized.