


For the first time, a CRISPR drug treats a child’s unique mutation
Scientists hope more children will benefit
WITHIN DAYS after KJ was born in Philadelphia in August 2024 it was clear that something was wrong. He was not eating and slept too much. Blood tests revealed sky-high levels of ammonia, a toxic substance the body usually expels. Genome sequencing confirmed that he had a rare genetic disease called carbamoyl-phosphate synthetase 1 (CPS1) deficiency, which often kills in infancy, and for which no good neonatal treatment exists. Then one of his doctors suggested something radical: a gene-editing drug designed specifically for him.
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This article appeared in the Science & technology section of the print edition under the headline “One of a kind”

The race to build the fighter planes of the future
They can hold more fuel, carry more weaponry and boast more computing power

Britain is now the biggest funder of solar-geoengineering research
It is supporting experiments to thicken sea ice and make clouds more reflective

Are juice shots worth the price?
Fresh fruit is probably a cheaper alternative
Companies have plans to build robotic horses
One diminutive design is aimed at children
Compressed music might be harmful to the ears
In guinea pigs it can weaken muscles important for hearing
How to build strong magnets without rare-earth metals
China’s export restrictions may boost scientific innovation