People who have been deaf since birth can start listening thanks to these advances
Science and technology have always existed A strong commitment to breaking barriers. Nowadays, people suffering from hearing loss can live and thrive to the fullest thanks to the advancements available. We see big companies like Huawei with apps that teach deaf children to read. However, genetic engineering may be the key to solving these conditions and allowing hearing to people who would otherwise never be able to hear. Now, a pediatric team has achieved it with an 11-year-old boy.
An unprecedented milestone
An 11-year-old boy has been able to hear for the first time thanks to innovative gene therapy at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, one of the world's leading children's hospitals. Born with Profound hearing loss due to a very rare genetic problemA to Aysam Dam A very pioneering treatment that allows you to hear again. This is confirmed by a A report from the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.
The boy's genetic defect blocked the production of otoferrin, a key protein for the hair cells in the inner ear to convert sound vibrations into chemical signals for the brain. Some people with congenital hearing loss have this problem, estimated to be approximately 1 to 8%.
To make this work successful, an interesting genetic technique was used that demonstrates the dominance of science and technology over genetics. So, Isham underwent surgery where a modified virus with functional copies of the otoferlin gene was injected into the intraocular fluid of his cochlea. This allowed the hair cells to produce this protein until everything in his ear worked properly.
As expected, this virus mutated Does not harm the baby. The virus mutates A major breakthrough in the fight against rare diseases and birth defects. However, the baby is late Four months to restore normal hearing levels. Now, Issum hears and can hear sound, but Your hearing loss is still considered moderate. In fact, the child may never learn to speak He is too old for that.
Now,this breakthrough could be key to learning more about gene therapy. The fight against deafness from birth Every day he advances with greater security And that is something to be celebrated Hito base While ensuring that people can improve their quality of life and not find out Barriers to its development.
In short:
- An 11-year-old boy was able to hear for the first time in his life.
- You still have hearing loss, but the loss is mild or moderate.
- He had a problem so he couldn't make autoferlin, a key protein in hearing.
- By modifying a virus, they were able to make autoferlin audible.
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