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800,000 euros worth of gene therapy ended in the death of a young girl
Slovenia🏛️ PoliticsLean Progressive7 hr. ago

800,000 euros worth of gene therapy ended in the death of a young girl

An investigation was launched after a joint report by the American journal Science and the publication Retraction Watch revealed the failed clinical trial on a girl with a rare genetic disease. The girl’s parents reported they had paid approximately 860,000 USD (around 749,340 EUR) for the experimental treatment, while doctors did not warn them that the therapy could lead to death. The girl suffered from a rare syndrome called Snijders Blok-Campeau, which causes neurological developmental disorders. The study leader developed a gene-editing method, claiming the girl would be the first person worldwide to receive such therapy directly for brain treatment. The hospital ethics committee approved the trial at the beginning of 2025 before all preclinical results were published. Preparations included preclinical tests on mice and monkeys. Researchers assured the family that results confirmed the safety of continuing the clinical trial, despite some studies on monkeys having unpublished results and others being deemed unreliable by experts. Days after the treatment, the girl developed high fever, kidney damage, and died on the intensive care unit. The hospital’s internal investigation后来确定

A Chinese girl died after receiving experimental gene therapy for a rare genetic disorder, raising serious concerns over the safety and oversight of such treatments. The incident has sparked a major investigation led by the prestigious School of Medicine at Shanghai Jiaotong University, which oversees the clinical trial in question. The child, who was six years old, had been participating in a trial aimed at treating Snijders Blok-Campeau syndrome, a rare inherited condition causing severe developmental disabilities. Her parents had paid nearly one million dollars to fund the personalized gene therapy, making her potentially the first person globally to receive treatment targeting brain repair through gene editing. The treatment, developed specifically for this rare disease, was conducted at Xinhua Hospital, affiliated with the university. It was led by a renowned expert in gene therapy. However, shortly after the procedure, the girl's condition rapidly deteriorated. She developed a severe inflammatory or immune response, leading to multi-organ failure. Seven days later, she passed away. An internal review at the hospital later concluded that her death was directly linked to the experimental gene therapy. Her case has drawn widespread public attention due to its rarity and the high stakes involved. According to reports from Science magazine, the therapy was intended to be the first of its kind, designed to correct genetic mutations in the brain. The parents were assured by researchers that they would not face “safety catastrophes.” Preclinical trials on mice and primates had shown promising results, yet the hospital’s ethics committee approved the trial in early 2025, before final results from primate studies were published. A separate independent scientist reviewing the data for Science called some findings “unreliable.” The parents claim they were not adequately informed about all potential risks associated with the treatment. They allege they were not made aware of the serious side effects observed during preclinical trials, including liver damage. This lack of transparency has prompted the university to launch an additional investigation into the conduct of the research, the process of obtaining parental consent, and adherence to ethical guidelines. The case has gained national attention because China is considered a leader in the field of gene therapy development. At the same time, the country has long faced scrutiny regarding the regulation of experimental medical procedures. This incident highlights growing concerns about the balance between innovation and patient safety. The ongoing inquiry aims to clarify both the responsibility of the medical team and any possible shortcomings in the approval and execution of the clinical study. As the investigation continues, the broader implications of the case remain under discussion. The tragedy underscores the complexities of advancing cutting-edge treatments while ensuring rigorous oversight and clear communication with patients and their families. The outcome of the probe could influence future approaches to gene therapy research and regulatory practices in China.

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2 reports

Slovenske novice logoSlovenske noviceIndependentCenterFactual 95Objective 722 days ago
Not all stories about treating rare diseases succeed: a girl dies after receiving gene therapy in China, parents pay nearly a million dollars

A six-year-old girl in China died after receiving experimental gene therapy for a rare genetic disorder called Snijders Blok-Campeau syndrome. The treatment was developed specifically for her condition and was the first of its kind ever used for this disease. Her parents paid nearly $860,000 to fund the development and administration of the personalized therapy, which was not part of standard medical care. Following the procedure, the girl suffered a severe immune reaction leading to multiple organ failure and death seven days later. An internal hospital investigation linked her death directly to the experimental treatment. The research team had planned for her to become the first person in the world to receive gene therapy targeting the brain. However, the parents claim they were not adequately informed of all potential risks, including adverse effects observed in animal trials. The university has launched an additional investigation into the conduct of the study, consent process, and ethical compliance.

Bias read (Center): The article presents a factual account of the incident without overtly favoring any side. It includes perspectives from both the family and the researchers, mentions the ongoing investigations by the hospital and university, and highlights concerns about regulatory oversight in China’s experimental醫

Why factuality (95): The article reports on a case where a girl died after receiving experimental gene therapy for a rare genetic disorder. It cites the involvement of a reputable university medical faculty and mentions the family's financial contribution. The details align with cross-source consensus regarding the expe

Why objectivity (72): The article presents the story with some emotional weight, particularly around the family's financial sacrifice and the child's condition. While it provides factual information, it frames the situation as a cautionary tale, which introduces a degree of editorializing. This affects objectivity by emp

24ur (POP TV) logo24ur (POP TV)IndependentProgressive7 hr. ago
800,000 euros worth of gene therapy ended in the death of a young girl

An investigation was launched after a joint report by the American journal Science and the publication Retraction Watch revealed the failed clinical trial on a girl with a rare genetic disease. The girl’s parents reported they had paid approximately 860,000 USD (around 749,340 EUR) for the experimental treatment, while doctors did not warn them that the therapy could lead to death. The girl suffered from a rare syndrome called Snijders Blok-Campeau, which causes neurological developmental disorders. The study leader developed a gene-editing method, claiming the girl would be the first person worldwide to receive such therapy directly for brain treatment. The hospital ethics committee approved the trial at the beginning of 2025 before all preclinical results were published. Preparations included preclinical tests on mice and monkeys. Researchers assured the family that results confirmed the safety of continuing the clinical trial, despite some studies on monkeys having unpublished results and others being deemed unreliable by experts. Days after the treatment, the girl developed high fever, kidney damage, and died on the intensive care unit. The hospital’s internal investigation后来确定

Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the incident as a systemic failure within China's regulatory framework, emphasizing ethical concerns and calls for stricter oversight. It highlights the lack of transparency and accountability, aligning with left-leaning critiques of corporate and governmental negligence. While it

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