Breakthrough for DNA-Editing: US Team Discovers ‘Holy Grail’ to Fix Genes to Cure Incurable Diseases, Blindness – And Even Extend Human Lifespan

• Breakthrough for DNA-Editing: US Team Discovers ‘Holy Grail’ to Fix Genes to Cure Incurable Diseases, Blindness – And Even Extend Human Lifespan
  by MIA DE GRAAF FOR DAILYMAIL.COM 
  * Salk Institute scientists have used new technique to cure rats’ blindness
  * It is the first time anyone has edited DNA in eyes, heart, brain or liver
  * These organs’ cells rarely divide, making them very difficult to penetrate
  * So far the most advanced method is called CRISPR, which can edit skin and gut genes – it was tested yesterday by Chinese scientists
  * But Salk’s study has been hailed as biggest leap in DNA research to date
  –
  Scientists have discovered how to edit DNA to repair ‘broken genes’ to cure incurable diseases – and potentially extend human lifespan. Until now, it has not been possible to alter genes in the brain, heart, liver and eyes – the root of many debilitating illnesses. Since the cells in these vital organs tend not to divide, it is difficult to gain access to make changes.
  –
  However, researchers at the Salk Institute claim to have landed on ‘the holy grail of gene editing’, which can delicately and smoothly cut through DNA.
  –
  read more.

end