Public Media from Michigan State University
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

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
October 8, 2026 - PBS News Hour full episode
Democrats are betting on pastors and ministers in the midterms
Botched execution reignites debate surrounding death penalty
New documentary traces Elon Musk's rise and embrace of right-wing politics
News Wrap: Judge extends White House access for news outlets
Netanyahu's handling of Oct. 7 emerges as key issue in Israeli election
Gulf Coast prepares for landfall as Hurricane Isaias gains power
AI startup touts new possibilities for video creators, but concerns remain
How GLP-1s are reshaping cultural views on body image
October 7, 2026 - PBS News Hour full episode