Scientists in Great Britain have once again confirmed this in practice. The NHS press service reports this, citing “The Guardian” publication.
It is noted that the efforts of specialists in London have restored sight to the pupils of 4 children suffering from a rare genetic disease that causes blindness — congenital Leber's amaurosis.
For this purpose, a very rare genetic microsurgery was performed for the first time in the eye area of boys and girls born without the ability to see.
The patients — are little ones born in the USA, Turkey, and Tunisia. They lack the ability to see since birth due to a defect in the AIPL1 gene.
The operation in one of the London clinics lasted only 60 minutes. During this time, a harmless version of the AIPL1 gene, covered with a harmless virus, was placed on the retina of the young patients using microsurgical methods.
Now the children can easily distinguish objects. They began to see the world in bright colors. Some of them have even started to read and write.
London ophthalmologist, Professor Michelle Michaelides believes that these results are astonishing and will serve as a basis for a wider use of gene therapy possibilities in the future.
