As we recognize National Minority Health Month (NMHM), the Institute for Gene Therapies (IGT)’s Scientific, Academic and Medical Advisory Council Chair Donna Christian-Christensen, M.D. released the following statement:
“This Minority Health Month becomes uniquely important as scientific advancements in the genetic space are moving at an incredible pace and because diseases that disproportionately affect minority populations are turning up to have genetic causes we didn’t realize before.
“Researchers in recent years have linked a rare genetic mutation in African Americans to earlier onset of heart failure. Researchers also discovered that a mutation in the APOL1 gene can explain why people of African descent can be more susceptible to chronic and end stage renal disease. There is also a growing body of research uncovering how racial trauma and stress may affect not only one’s physiology but also their genetics, increasing the likelihood that they would develop debilitating chronic diseases.
“Most exciting is that, as of late last year, there are now two FDA approved gene therapies targeting sickle cell disease directly, giving minority communities hope that we could better manage, prevent the onset of symptoms, even cure diseases like sickle cell in the near future.
“This should encourage us all to increase our efforts to ensure all patients who could benefit from such innovation will be able to get these therapies. This month, we are acutely reminded of the critical need to fight for equitable care and access. We’re also reminded of the unique value gene therapies can bring to minority and all patient communities.”