PARTIAL bone marrow transplants may largely cure sickle cell anaemia without
many of the risks associated with complete marrow transplants.
The disease, common in people from tropical regions, is caused by faulty
genes for the red blood pigment haemoglobin. Sufferers have many rigid and
misshapen red blood cells that can obstruct blood flow, causing severe
pain and damaging organs.
Trials carried out in the past decade have shown that completely destroying
patients’ bone marrow—the tissue that produces red blood cells—and
replacing it with normal donor marrow can cure the disease. But this is
extremely risky.
If the body…
