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Why FDA approval of sickle cell gene therapy is a ‘big deal’

Season 2023 Episode 354 | 5m 08s

Sickle cell disease is a chronic, debilitating condition that affects nearly 100,000 Americans, most of them with African ancestry. Now, the FDA has approved a groundbreaking treatment for it that uses the gene-editing tool CRISPR. John Yang speaks with Yale School of Medicine assistant professor Dr. Cece Calhoun and New York Times reporter Gina Kolata to learn more.

Major corporate funding for the PBS News Hour is provided by BDO, BNSF, Consumer Cellular, American Cruise Lines, and Raymond James. Funding for the PBS NewsHour Weekend is provided by Consumer Cellular and Cunard Cruise Line. For a complete list of funders for the PBS NewsHour and PBS NewsHour weekend, click here.
Extras
Virginia’s Supreme Court tosses voter-approved redistricting plan in blow to Democrats
Why FDA Commissioner Makary is on the ropes after months of turmoil
Brooks and Marcus on Virginia’s major shakeup in the national redistricting battle
What a stronger than expected jobs report tells us about the state of the economy
U.S. strikes on Iranian tankers raise more questions over negotiations to end war
Cyberattack on Canvas platform highlights vulnerabilities and risks for schools
New U.S. counterterror strategy focuses on drug cartels but omits right-wing extremism
News Wrap: Pentagon releases ‘never-before-seen’ UFO files on its website
May 8, 2026 - PBS News Hour full episode
May 7, 2026 - PBS News Hour full episode