Gene editing helps a baby battle cancer

Doctors used molecular scalpels to tweak T cells to target leukemia but not harm the patient

baby who received experimental leukemia treatment

TEST CASE  Layla, shown here at 16 months, had an experimental treatment for leukemia. She is the first person to receive a therapy involving gene editing with molecular scalpels called TALENs. 

Sharon Leese/GOSH

Doctors are performing a different kind of surgery to save patients with maladies ranging from HIV to cancer.