Scientists have found the gene that causes sickle
cell disease and, in the laboratory, they are able to correct
this abnormal gene. They believe it will be possible to fix the
abnormal gene in the umbilical cord blood from sickle cell patients.
Once they are able to do this, doctors would like to thaw the
frozen cord blood, correct the gene and transplant the corrected
umbilical cord’s blood-making cells back into the child.
The patient would be receiving his/her own corrected blood eliminating
problems with rejection and other donor source related complications.
A cure will be achieved when these transplanted cells begin to
produce normal red blood cells.
Donor/Patient
