The Ethics of Gene Therapy for Sickle Cell Disease

Amie Patel; Alice Kuo

doi:10.7759/cureus.81037

The Ethics of Gene Therapy for Sickle Cell Disease

Cureus. 2025 Mar 23;17(3):e81037. doi: 10.7759/cureus.81037. eCollection 2025 Mar.

Authors

Amie Patel¹, Alice Kuo¹

Affiliation

¹ Division of Medicine-Pediatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, USA.

Abstract

Gene therapy for sickle cell disease (SCD) can drastically transform an individual's life and decrease the disease burden, but there are several ethical dilemmas associated with it. This editorial examines the various challenges, including the quality of informed consent, patient selection criteria, and equitable access. While gene therapy offers significant promise, addressing the ethical concerns surrounding it is crucial to ensure responsible implementation and equitable care for individuals with SCD and their communities.

Keywords: ethic consideration; gene therapy; informed consent; neurocognitive impairment; sickle cell disease: scd.

Publication types

Editorial