Akshay Sharma: Gene therapy for sickle cell disease
Akshay Sharma, Associate Member at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, shared post on LinkedIn about a recent article he and his colleagues co-authored, published in The Hastings Center Report, adding:
“Gene therapy for sickle cell disease: A cure, or a new beginning?
Gene therapy represents a remarkable breakthrough for sickle cell disease.
But does ‘cure’ mean the same thing to clinicians as it does to patients and families?
In our recent letter in Hastings Center Report, we explore why the language of ‘cure’ matters and how it can shape patient expectations, trust, and treatment decisions.
Our research highlights an important reality: Only 11percent of surveyed parents felt gene therapy might be right for their child, while 58percent of patients felt its benefits did not outweigh the risks.
Scientific breakthroughs deserve celebration, but they also demand honest communication, realistic expectations, and shared decision making.
I invite you to read our paper and share your thoughts:
The Trouble with ‘Cure’ in Sickle Cell Gene Therapy.”
Title: The Trouble with “Cure” in Sickle Cell Gene Therapy
Authors: Yoram Unguru, Akshay Sharma, Liza-Marie Johnson
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