How scientists made the discoveries behind a game-changing gene therapy for sickle cell disease and won a $3-million Breakthrough Prize

Likely Human

www.scientificamerican.comby Tanya LewisMay 5, 2026Submitted May 9, 2026

Stuart Orkin and Swee Lay Thein shared a Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences for their research on genetic causes of sickle cell disease and beta-thalassemia that set the stage for approved gene therapies. The treatments are not accessible to everyone, though

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