@voodoo.doll.tvs.d: Gene Therapy: First Functional Cure Case for Sickle Cell... Or Is It⁉️ #fyp #foryoupage #fypシ #genealogy #blackamerican

Mays Legacy :

While there is much publicity and fanfare about breakthroughs like gene editing (e.g., Casgevy) and bone marrow transplants and how they offer remarkable relief, they are not magical or immediate quick fixes. There is also not a cure until it is accessible and affordable for all who suffer with this horrible disease. The process requires gruelling chemotherapy to wipe out your original bone marrow, preexisting organ damage cannot be reversed, and it does not remove the sickle cell trait from your DNA. The reality of these curative therapies involves several critical factors: 1. The Process is Grueling Whether you are receiving edited versions of your own stem cells or marrow from a donor, the procedure is intense. It requires months of hospitalization and chemotherapy to destroy your existing, faulty bone marrow so the new or modified cells can take root. 2. Pre-Existing Damage Remains While the genetic therapies can successfully stop red blood cells from sickling, they do not reverse damage to your organs that occurred prior to the treatment. Chronic issues caused by a lifetime of restricted blood flow—such as joint damage, lung problems, or organ scarring—must still be medically managed. 3. You Still Carry the Gene For gene-edited therapies, the fix is made to your blood-forming stem cells, but the DNA in the rest of your body remains the same. This means you can still pass the sickle cell trait or gene to your children. 4. Significant Cost and Accessibility Hurdles These treatments come with multi-million dollar price tags, making widespread access difficult. Furthermore, traditional bone marrow transplants require a perfectly matched donor (often a sibling), which the majority of patients lack. While groundbreaking FDA-approved gene therapies and stem cell transplants exist for Sickle Cell Disease (SCD), they are not "one-and-done" magic bullets. The realities often downplayed include grueling chemotherapy, costs ranging from $2.2 million to $3.4 million, persistent organ damage, and the fact that you still carry the genetic trait. 5. Lifelong Monitoring is Required Even after a successful procedure, patients require lifelong medical check