Chinese Gene Therapy Trial Raises Concerns After Child's Death
A six-year-old girl named Mei from China tragically passed away following an experimental gene therapy aimed at treating Snijders Blok-Campeau syndrome, a rare neurodevelopmental disorder. The therapy, developed by neuroscientist Zilong Qiu at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, involved using CRISPR-based techniques to correct a genetic mutation directly in Mei's brain cells. Despite promising results in animal trials, the therapy led to severe complications, including a high fever and kidney failure, ultimately resulting in Mei's death. Investigations revealed that prior studies had indicated potential risks, such as severe liver damage and immune complications, which were not adequately addressed before the trial proceeded. 
