It's been a tumultuous year for the medical field, but amid the political upheaval, scientists have continued to push the boundaries of what's possible. From lifesaving gene therapies to breakthroughs in dementia prevention, 2025 has been a year of remarkable medical advances that offer hope to patients and their families.
Saving Lives with Personalized Gene Editing
The story of baby KJ Muldoon is a prime example of how far gene therapy has come. Born with a rare genetic disorder that caused dangerous ammonia buildup, KJ became the first person to receive a customized CRISPR-based treatment designed just for him. Clinicians at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia were able to erase KJ's mutation and insert a correction, allowing him to go home and start walking - a truly remarkable feat. With a new clinical trial underway, this approach could soon help many more individuals with rare diseases.
Slowing the March of Huntington's
Huntington's disease is a devastating neurological disorder with no effective treatments - until now. An experimental drug has shown the ability to slow the progression of Huntington's by up to 75%. The therapy uses a virus to deliver tiny snippets of RNA that halt the production of the disease-causing proteins. This breakthrough offers real hope to the thousands suffering from this cruel condition.
Dementia Prevention on the Horizon?
One of the most tantalizing developments in 2025 is the potential of the shingles vaccine to reduce the risk of dementia. Multiple studies have found that people who received the shingles shot were around 20% less likely to develop dementia than those who didn't. While more research is needed, this could be a major development in the fight against Alzheimer's and other forms of cognitive decline.
What this really means is that the medical field has not been paralyzed by the political headwinds. Researchers have persisted in their vital work, delivering breakthroughs that will change - and in many cases, save - lives. The bigger picture here is that when we invest in science and medical innovation, the payoff can be immeasurable. As we look to the future, the challenge will be ensuring that these advances reach the people who need them most.