Training Blog

Scientists claim that they are getting closer to curing colour blindness using gene therapy. In one study a US team, lead by Professor Jay Neitz were able to restore full colour vision to adult monkeys who were unable to distinguish between red and green. Experts believe that although more studies are needed, the same treatment could potentially work for humans who are colour blind. Until recently they had not thought it was possible to manipulate the adult brain in this way. Scientists believed that adding new sensory information could only be carried out in the earliest years of life; as this is when the brain is at its most malleable.

The study took place 2 years ago and the monkeys improved vision has remained stable ever since. The plan for Professor Neitz’s team is to continue to monitor the animals in order to evaluate the long term effects of the treatment and remain hopeful that a similar idea could be applied to humans who are colour blind.

There are several forms of colour blindness, the most common of which is inherited red/green colour blindness, which passed on through a faulty colour vision gene on an X chromosome. However colour blindness can occur as a result of diseases such as macular degeneration or from side effects of medicines. Statistics show that this research could benefit approximately 7% of men and 1% of women born with genetic colour deficiencies.

This research seems to be the first in primates to address the colour vision deficiencies and indicate that intact cells are modifiable in their colour perception.

Although there is still alot more research to be done before the test is carried out on humans or becomes available in clinics it seems to be a massive step towards curing genetic abnormalities.