It has happened. CRISPR has been successfully used to treat sickle cell, we’d even venture to use the term cure. And today we are talking with the first person in the world who was cured from a genetic condition using CRISPR, Victoria Gray! 

Victoria is a patient advocate and international speaker from Mississippi. She is also a wife and mother of four children. Since being treated with CRISPR she has been featured in nearly every major publication including PBS, NPR, Forbes, New York Times, and more. 

Victoria Gray, the first person in the world to be cured of a genetic condition using CRISPR, shares her experience with sickle cell disease and the challenges she faced in receiving proper care. She describes the frequent pain crises she experienced, the lack of understanding and empathy from healthcare providers, and the stigma associated with sickle cell patients. Victoria highlights the disparities in research funding and support for sickle cell compared to other genetic conditions. She also discusses the importance of mental health care and the need for better education and communication from healthcare providers. Victoria Gray shares her experience as the first person to be treated with CRISPR for sickle cell disease. She discusses the mistreatment and lack of options she faced as a patient, highlighting the ongoing issue of healthcare disparities. Victoria also talks about the impact of her story on others, including a fan who was inspired to pursue CRISPR treatment. She emphasizes the importance of mental health and the role of faith in her journey. The conversation explores the CRISPR procedure, the timeline of the treatment, and the transformation it has brought to Victoria's life.

Key Takeaways

• Sickle cell disease causes frequent and severe pain crises, which can be debilitating and unpredictable.
• Healthcare providers often lack understanding and empathy towards sickle cell patients, leading to mistreatment and stigma.
• There is a significant disparity in research funding and support for sickle cell compared to other genetic conditions.
• Mental health care is crucial for individuals with sickle cell disease, but it is often overlooked.
• Better education and communication from healthcare providers are needed to improve the care and support for sickle cell patients. Healthcare disparities and mistreatment of patients with genetic conditions are ongoing issues that need to be addressed.
• The impact of Victoria Gray's story extends beyond her own experience and has inspired others to pursue CRISPR treatment.
• Mental health and faith played a significant role in Victoria's journey.
• The CRISPR procedure involved bone marrow collection, editing the cells with CRISPR, and reintroducing them into Victoria's body.
• The treatment has transformed Victoria's life, allowing her to regain independence and participate in activities she couldn't before.

During the interview we mentioned a couple other episodes of DNA Today that also explore sickle cell disease. 

#197 CRISPR Quality Control with Kiana Aran

#201 Sickle Cell Disease with Lifting the Veil

#214 2022 Genetics Wrapped with Eric Green

#251 Diversifying Genetic Research with 23andMe

#266 Genetics Wrapped 2023

Hear the second half of Victoria’s interview on the next episode (Episode #289) of DNA Today releasing on Friday May 17th. But you don’t have to wait, you can stream the entire conversation (part 1 and 2) in this YouTube video. 

You can also binge over 280 other episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, streaming on the website, or any other podcast player by searching, “DNA Today”. Episodes since 2021 are also recorded with video which you can watch on our YouTube channel, this includes some episodes recorded at NBC Universal Stamford Studios. 

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