The year 2025 was a whirlwind for the medical field - a time of both groundbreaking progress and significant challenges. While the U.S. research enterprise faced political upheaval, scientists persisted in driving forward remarkable innovations that are transforming lives. What this really means is that despite the turmoil, the power of biological discovery and medical ingenuity has never been more apparent.
Personalized Gene Therapy Saves a Baby's Life
One of the most inspiring stories of 2025 was the successful use of custom gene therapy to treat baby KJ Muldoon, who was born with a rare and life-threatening metabolic disorder. Doctors at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia used a CRISPR-based approach to edit KJ's genes and correct the mutation causing dangerous ammonia buildup in his body. This groundbreaking treatment, the first of its kind, offers hope that personalized gene therapies could soon be available for more individuals with rare genetic diseases.
Halting the March of Huntington's Disease
Another major breakthrough in 2025 was the development of an experimental drug that can slow the progression of Huntington's disease by up to 75%. Huntington's is a devastating neurological disorder that gradually robs patients of control over their bodies. This novel therapy, which uses RNA-based technology to suppress the production of disease-causing proteins, represents a triumph for scientists and a glimmer of hope for Huntington's patients and their families.
The Surprising Alzheimer's-Shingles Vaccine Connection
The bigger picture here is that 2025 also brought intriguing evidence that the shingles vaccine may have an unexpected benefit - reducing the risk of developing dementia. Studies in Wales and Australia found that people who received the shingles shot were around 20% less likely to be diagnosed with Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia. While more research is needed, this potential link highlights how preventing one disease could have cascading benefits for overall health.
From gene editing to Alzheimer's research, 2025 was a year of major medical breakthroughs that offer hope and transform lives. But the turmoil in the U.S. research enterprise serves as a sobering reminder that supporting science and innovation must be an unwavering national priority. The medical advances of 2025 are just the beginning - the future of health and medicine has never looked brighter.