This week we’ve had a bit of a biotech focus in the articles we’ve written. And for good reason. It’s a reminder to you that technology spreads across all industry.
It’s a catalyst for positive change, and helps to improve people’s lives.
In particular the huge advance in genetic technology has sparked what some people would decry as ‘miracles’.
When we talk about genetic technology a number of negative connotations tend to come along for the ride. The inevitable ‘designer baby’ argument arises, as does the controversial topic of eugenics.
We think that’s as ridiculous as arguing 3D printers should be banned because one idiot made a 3D printed gun.
If all we ever do is focus on the negative aspects of world changing technologies, how can the world advance?
And that’s why we’ve tried to shift the focus onto the modern day miracles that medical technology brings. In particular we’ve tried to highlight the benefits of genetic technology.
I Was Blind, but Now I See
Picture a 63-year-old lawyer. He’s had a successful career in the courts. But over time he has found his eyesight getting progressively worse.
It gets to a point where soon enough he can’t read in poor lighting. This is sometimes an inevitable situation in a courtroom. It forces him to retire. Otherwise he probably could have continued on for many years to come.
So, he consults several doctors. They all say the same thing…his eyes have a genetic defect. The precise condition is Choroideremia. The Choroideremia Research Foundation describes the condition:
‘Choroideremia (CHM) is a rare inherited disorder that causes progressive loss of vision due to degeneration of the choroid and retina which is caused by a lack of RAB Escort Protein-1 (REP-1). Choroideremia occurs almost exclusively in males.‘
What it means is that eventually he’ll go blind. At the time, there’s no known treatment for this condition. He’s stuck with defective genes, and that’s it.
But that’s not it. Not with advances in modern technology. With greater knowledge and technology, genetic therapy has the potential to stop the condition from worsening.
Doctors tell him that there is a new genetic trial that might just put a halt on the condition and the outcome could help maintain the level of eyesight that’s still left.
This description is a real example. It’s the story of Jonathan Wyatt, a lawyer based in Bristol, UK.
Two years ago, Mr Wyatt’s doctors told him about this new gene therapy that could potentially save what was left of his eyesight. Mr Wyatt joined the trial immediately. In the same position, we think most people would do the same thing.
The BBC originally reported the story of Mr Wyatt in October 2011. At the time the BBC highlighted that,
‘His doctor, Prof Robert MacLaren, believes that he’ll know for sure whether the degeneration in Mr Wyatt’s eyes has stopped within two years. If that’s the case his vision will be saved indefinitely.‘
Fast-forward two years. Just this week the results of the two-year trial have come to light.
The outcome is far greater than anyone could have anticipated back in 2011. Not only has the gene therapy stopped the deterioration, it has actually improved Mr Wyatt’s sight.
What happens in practice is the cells in the back of the eye are defective and slowly die. This causes partial, and over time full, blindness. Doctors are able to inject working copies of the faulty gene into the area where the defective ones are.
These working cells propagate and restore function to the eye. It all sounds pretty simple really. It’s not. It’s something that’s been on the cusp of reality for decades, but only now is all the hard work and research paying off.
The promising part of all this is that Choroideremia is similar in certain aspects to other common causes of blindness. In particular professor MacLaren believes there may be potential in this kind of therapy for people with macular degeneration.
As highlighted by the BBC, ‘This condition [macular degeneration] causes blindness in 300,000 people in Britain and causes a deterioration in the vision of one in four people over the age of 75.‘
The trick is to identify the genes that are the cause of the problem. The doctors know how to apply the treatment and put working genes back in. They just need to figure out which are the right genes.
It’s another example of technology changing people’s lives. With the success of Mr Wyatt’s treatment and the other people in the trial, it opens the door for further trials. Hopefully soon enough it becomes the standard treatment for these kinds of degenerative conditions. But there’s more opportunity when it comes to genetic therapies.
One small Aussie company in particular understands the potential of this technology. They know that if they can crack the right genetic treatment it’ll be company-making technology. You see they’re also in the business of using genetics to cure disease.
Like the trial Mr Wyatt was a part of, should this Aussie ASX minnow succeed with their genetic treatments, it will be worldwide groundbreaking news. That means it’ll also be the catalyst for huge gains for investors.
Make no mistake, perhaps the most important technology of the next decade could be genetic technology. The era of using genetics to treat disease is upon us.
It’s been decades in the making. And it’s always seemed as though it would be two, five or ten years away.
But not anymore. Genetic treatments will change the way we look after our health. You can be a part of it and invest, or you can watch this world changing technology develop and pass you by.
If you’re in any doubt of the potential of genetic technology, re-read the story above. Keep going until it sinks in. This is all real, this is happening, and it’s a huge trend that’s only going to get bigger.
Regards,
Sam Volkering
Technology Analyst
Special Report: The ‘Wonder Weld’
