This Week In Science (07/03/2025)

Gene Therapy Trial for Inherited Deafness - Eldrian Tho

Regeneron's experimental gene therapy, codename DB-OTO, shows promise in restoring hearing in children affected by a rare type of hearing loss caused by a defective otoferlin (OTOF) gene. 12 children received the treatment through an injection into the inner ear.

So far, 10 out of the 11 children tested after treatment have shown improvements in their hearing. Among them, normal hearing levels were achieved in three children, and remarkably, one child was able to recognise words without the need for lip movements.

Treatment was considered safe, although some children experienced temporary dizziness, nausea, or eye movement issues, which disappeared within a few days. This therapy works via delivery of a fully functional OTOF gene into the inner ear, aiming to restore hearing in children born with this genetic condition.

Elon Musk Remains Royal Society Fellow - Taylor Pomfret

This Monday, members of the Royal Society – an independent scientific academy of the UK – met up amid a row involving one of its members – Elon Musk. 

Many scientists have raised concerns over Musk’s behaviour, who has overseen unprecedented funding cuts to research in the United States. 

Over 3500 scientists have signed an open letter organised by Imperial emeritus professor of structural biology, Professor Stephen Curry, calling for Musk’s fellowship in the society to be revoked. 

150 fellows attended the meeting on Monday hosted by the Royal Society, which was arranged to “discuss the principles around public pronouncements and behaviour of fellows”. 

They expressed concern about the “fate of colleagues in the US who are reportedly facing the prospect of losing their jobs amid threats of radical cutbacks in research funding.” 

Despite concerns – Musk remains a member of the society.

In a statement released by the Royal Society, fellows remain “united in the need for the Society to step up its efforts to advocate for science and scientists at a time when these are under threat as never before and yet at the same time have never been more necessary for humanity at large”.

The society will continue to explore “potential further actions that might help make the case for science and scientific research” and will “counter the misinformation and ideologically motivated attacks on both science and scientists”.