The Science That Captivated SciFri’s Reporters In 2024

CRISPR Therapies

The FDA's approval of CRISPR-based therapies marks a significant milestone in treating genetic disorders. Kathleen Davis highlights the groundbreaking nature of these therapies, particularly for sickle cell disease, which affects around 100,000 Americans, mostly of African descent. These therapies offer a one-time treatment option, though their high cost of $2 to $3 million per treatment remains a barrier for many 1.

CRISPR is one of the most, I think, amazing medical technologies that we have right now.

--- Kathleen Davis

Despite the expense, the approval paves the way for broader access to CRISPR therapies in the future.

   

Abortion Access

The landscape of abortion access in the U.S. has shifted dramatically since the overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022. Kathleen Davis discusses how this change has led to significant fallout, with many OB-GYNs leaving states where abortion has been heavily restricted or banned 1. This has created a "Wild West" scenario in terms of care availability, impacting healthcare delivery in affected regions.

It's hard to talk about medical news without talking about, about abortion.

--- Kathleen Davis

Despite these challenges, public support for abortion remains high, with 63% of Americans in favor of access.

   

Weight-loss Drugs

The approval of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs for use under Medicare has been a transformative development in personal health management. Kathleen Davis explains that these drugs, including Ozempic and Wegovy, work by triggering insulin release, suppressing appetite, and slowing digestion, which benefits those with type 2 diabetes and aids in weight loss 2.

These drugs are meant to treat conditions like type 2 diabetes, but they're also prescribed in some cases for weight loss.

--- Kathleen Davis

The widespread use of these medications reflects their significant impact on improving health outcomes for many individuals.