"The therapy, named Luxturna, was approved in the US in 2017 and has transformed the lives of people born with Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA), a genetic disorder that typically causes total blindness by early adulthood."
"I was overwhelmed, said Bennett, who is now retired from the University of Pennsylvania. It was one of the most miraculous eureka moments you can imagine."
"Bennett said it was a tremendously exciting time for scientific and medical research, but warned that the US administration's attacks on science could cause damage for generations to come."
"Agendas have become politicised, government agencies that support basic and applied research have been undermined, knowledgable advisers and experts have been dismissed or have fled."
Jean Bennett and Albert Maguire were awarded the $3 million Breakthrough prize for their work on Luxturna, the first approved gene therapy for blindness. This therapy has significantly improved the lives of individuals with Leber congenital amaurosis, a genetic disorder causing blindness. Clinical trials demonstrated remarkable results, with patients experiencing life-changing vision restoration. Bennett expressed concern over the politicization of science in the US, fearing long-term damage to research and expertise. The Breakthrough prizes celebrate significant advancements in life sciences, including other gene therapies and discoveries in genetic disorders.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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