Gene therapy breakthrough allows toddler born deaf to hear

https://www.popsci.com ^ | MAY 9, 2024 1:03 PM EDT | BY TOM HAWKING

[RomanSoldier19]

A British toddler born with a genetic condition resulting in deafness can now hear in one ear thanks to a pioneering new gene therapy treatment.

The case was reported at the American Society of Gene & Cell Therapy’s annual meeting which is taking place this week in Baltimore, MD. The girl—18-month-old Opal Sandy from Oxfordshire—received an experimental treatment for auditory neuropathy, a condition that results from a mutation in a gene called Biallelic otoferlin gene (OTOF), as part of an ongoing clinical trial.

As the BBC reports, the mutation results in incorrect development of tiny hairs in the cochlea that are crucial for magnifying sound waves and converting the resultant information into signals that can be passed onto the brain. This results in what the case description describes as “severe-to-profound sensorineural hearing loss.”

[RomanSoldier19]

[where's_the_Outrage?]

I now see people and children with Rush Limbaugh hearing aids, God Bless Them.

[roadcat]

... Opal’s newfound hearing has apparently led to the development of a new hobby: “Slamming cutlery on the table to make as much noise as possible."

So she can be a normal kid! (And future protester.)

[teeman8r]

This is the beginning of the deaf genocide... / sarc

[TexasFreeper2009]

I still miss Rush, and am heartbroken his widow sold his home and it will or maybe already has been demolished. I would have loved to have toured it.

[JohnBovenmyer]

This is the flip side of the mRNA “vaccine” debacle in somewhat different tech clothing. And why we don’t want to throw out this baby with that bathwater.

Gene modification is a tool, capable of use for good or evil, like most tools. We need to relearn ethics and from Whom that comes for why to use the tool and then learn how to use it wisely. Part of the wisdom is to use it in ways that limit exposure to risks by containing treatment to one ear, one eyeball or other limited body part until we understand its use better. And to limit its use to those few with the most to gain and either the least to lose or the poorest other options until then. Proceed cautiously to more uses as you learn. And don’t forget old wisdom. Tales like that of Icarus have been around for a long time.

[deport]

What happened to the Rush Limbaugh Show after he died?

***********

It followed him to the unknown never to be heard again.

[Pontiac]

This is the beginning of the deaf genocide... / sarc

You're joking but you can bet that there will be activist saying just that.

A few decades ago someone research the possibility of a homosexual gene was attacked with just such words.

[ckilmer]

not too far in the future, they’ll develop tools to regrow the cilia in the inner ear.

that will be a god send to the elderly.

will be nice when they can restore the hearing like they can seeing.

[LibertarianLiz]

I saw a film piece, on RAV morning show, which had a young child with vision problems getting his first pair of glasses. They put the glasses on him, he looked up at his mother and the look on his face was just wonderful. Big smile.

I imagine something similar would happen when someone who hasn't been able to hear, is suddenly given the gift of hearing.

[higgmeister]

Proceed cautiously to more uses as you learn. And don’t forget old wisdom. Tales like that of Icarus have been around for a long time.

Yes, this isn't a new thing brought by MRNA genetics.

In the early 1960's my grandfather, a former miner, had one of the first hammer and stirrup replacement ear operations.   It worked so well that he spent the rest of his life with toilet paper of cotton stuffed in his ears and yelling at us grandchildren for being too loud.