Gene Editing

The FDA approved in December two cell-based gene therapies for sickle cell disease. Doctors and medical professionals say the therapies mark major advances in treatment. Black St. Louisans with the disease are hopeful that the approvals of the treatment will be life-changing but are worried about costs, risks and accessibility.

Sci-fi writers have long warned about the dangers of modifying organisms. They come in forms ranging from accidentally creating a plague of killer...