Gene therapy – the science of substituting faulty or missing genes for functioning versions to prevent genetic diseases – has been in and out of fashion for decades. Half a century ago, it was full of promise, but then a series of setbacks tempered the enthusiasm. Now, however, scientist are making genuine advances to effectively treat previously stubborn diseases. This is indicative of the field of biomedical sciences in general; long pursued innovations are finally reaching maturity with the potential of application. This Index looks at the current state of biomedical science around the world and what its renaissance might mean for patients.
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