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Gene therapy first for poor sight | Gene therapy first for poor sight |
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A team at London's Moorfields Eye Hospital has made the world's first attempt to treat a sight disorder using gene therapy. | A team at London's Moorfields Eye Hospital has made the world's first attempt to treat a sight disorder using gene therapy. |
They operated on Robert Johnson, a UK man born with a sight disorder which deteriorates with age. | They operated on Robert Johnson, a UK man born with a sight disorder which deteriorates with age. |
At present Mr Johnson, who had genes inserted into one eye, can see outlines during the day, but little at night. | At present Mr Johnson, who had genes inserted into one eye, can see outlines during the day, but little at night. |
It will be several months before the researchers know whether their work has been a success. | It will be several months before the researchers know whether their work has been a success. |
If it is, they believe that it could be used to treat a wide range of inherited sight disorders. | If it is, they believe that it could be used to treat a wide range of inherited sight disorders. |
How the gene therapy works | |
Mr Johnson's disorder is caused by a faulty gene called RPE65. | Mr Johnson's disorder is caused by a faulty gene called RPE65. |
I keep ranging from extreme nervousness to a bit of excitement Robert Johnson Q&A: Gene surgery | I keep ranging from extreme nervousness to a bit of excitement Robert Johnson Q&A: Gene surgery |
This defect stops the layer of cells in the retina at the back of the eye from working. | This defect stops the layer of cells in the retina at the back of the eye from working. |
Usually, these are cells that detect light, but in Mr Johnson's case they are damaged, and stop him from seeing properly. | Usually, these are cells that detect light, but in Mr Johnson's case they are damaged, and stop him from seeing properly. |
The operation involves injecting working copies of the defective gene into the back of the eye. | The operation involves injecting working copies of the defective gene into the back of the eye. |
It is hoped that the replacment genes will enable the retina to detect light - and eventually improve Mr Johnson's sight. | It is hoped that the replacment genes will enable the retina to detect light - and eventually improve Mr Johnson's sight. |
The technique has worked in the lab, and on tests in animals, but Mr Johnson is one of 12 young patients selected to discover if those successes can be translated into human patients. | The technique has worked in the lab, and on tests in animals, but Mr Johnson is one of 12 young patients selected to discover if those successes can be translated into human patients. |
Mixed emotion | Mixed emotion |
Before he underwent surgery, Mr Johnson told me he had mixed feelings. | Before he underwent surgery, Mr Johnson told me he had mixed feelings. |
It will be some time before the result is known | It will be some time before the result is known |
He said: "It's very difficult to say how I'm feeling. I keep ranging from extreme nervousness to a bit of excitement." | He said: "It's very difficult to say how I'm feeling. I keep ranging from extreme nervousness to a bit of excitement." |
Lead researcher, Professor Robin Ali, based at the Institute of Ophthalmology, has spent spent 15 years working with colleagues developing the technique. | Lead researcher, Professor Robin Ali, based at the Institute of Ophthalmology, has spent spent 15 years working with colleagues developing the technique. |
He said: "I can't help feeling somewhat apprehensive. | He said: "I can't help feeling somewhat apprehensive. |
"There is so much riding on it and we have all been waiting for a very long time." | "There is so much riding on it and we have all been waiting for a very long time." |
His colleague, James Bainbridge, who carried out the surgery, said there was no guarantee that it would be a success. | His colleague, James Bainbridge, who carried out the surgery, said there was no guarantee that it would be a success. |
He said: "We don't know for sure how someone like Robert's retina is likely to behave in this situation." | He said: "We don't know for sure how someone like Robert's retina is likely to behave in this situation." |
However, he added: "It is very encouraging that we can deliver genes to an extremely fragile site in the eye without complications." | However, he added: "It is very encouraging that we can deliver genes to an extremely fragile site in the eye without complications." |
The surgery required required incredible precision. One slip and Mr Johnson's retina would have been torn, and the operation would have failed. | The surgery required required incredible precision. One slip and Mr Johnson's retina would have been torn, and the operation would have failed. |
However, Robert Maclaren, the assistant surgeon, was pleased with how things went. | However, Robert Maclaren, the assistant surgeon, was pleased with how things went. |
"We couldn't have asked for a better result. | "We couldn't have asked for a better result. |
"In fact if I sat and drew what the perfect result would have been on a piece of paper - the retina would have looked pretty much as it would look now." | "In fact if I sat and drew what the perfect result would have been on a piece of paper - the retina would have looked pretty much as it would look now." |
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Do you have any questions about gene therapy? Do you have any concerns about this type of operation? Pallab Ghosh will be answering your questions on gene therapy later on today on BBC News 24. Send us your questions using the form below. | Do you have any questions about gene therapy? Do you have any concerns about this type of operation? Pallab Ghosh will be answering your questions on gene therapy later on today on BBC News 24. Send us your questions using the form below. |
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