In a historic first, doctors used CRISPR-based gene editing to treat a baby with a fatal genetic disorder, marking a breakthrough in personalized medicine. KJ Muldoon, born with CPS1 deficiency—a condition that causes toxic ammonia buildup—received a customized therapy developed by researchers at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and Penn Medicine. Instead of cutting DNA, the team used a base editing technique to correct a single faulty genetic letter, offering a potential alternative to liver transplant.⁠
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KJ began receiving the therapy in February through an IV infusion of lipid nanoparticles targeting liver cells. “This is the first step towards the use of gene editing therapies to treat a wide variety of rare genetic disorders for which there are currently no definitive medical treatments,” said Dr. Kiran Musunuru, co-author of the study published in the New England Journal of Medicine. The project, partly funded by the National Institutes of Health, cost roughly the same as a transplant.⁠
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His parents, Kyle and Nicole Muldoon, opted for the experimental treatment after weighing it against surgery. “We prayed, we talked to people, we gathered information, and we eventually decided that this was the way we were going to go,” Kyle said. While researchers stress that long-term outcomes are still unknown, early results have raised hopes the technique could expand to treat other rare genetic diseases.⁠
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A ship carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza was struck by drones in international waters near Malta early Friday, according to the Freedom Flotilla Coalition. The vessel, Conscience, suffered damage to its generator and hull, leaving it without power and stranded. A nearby tugboat helped extinguish the fire, and Malta confirmed that 16 people aboard were safe, with no serious injuries. The coalition accused Israel of carrying out the strike but offered no direct evidence. Israel has not commented.⁠
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Video shared by activists showed fire and damage to the ship’s deck, with smoke rising and holes visible. Codepink activist Tighe Barry said the vessel had lost its flag prior to the attack and was at risk of being impounded by authorities in Malta, Greece, or Turkey. The captain reportedly requested re-entry into Maltese waters, warning of a “huge risk to life.” The ship had departed from Tunisia and was due to be joined by more volunteers in Malta, including climate activist Greta Thunberg, who did not board and remains safe.⁠
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The incident comes amid a worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza, where Israel has blocked all aid since March. Over 52,000 Palestinians have been killed in the conflict, according to Gaza health officials. The International Committee of the Red Cross warned Friday that critical food and medical programs could shut down within weeks without renewed access. Turkey condemned the strike and pledged to pursue accountability, calling it an attack on maritime security.⁠
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The U.S. has finalized high tariffs on most solar cell imports from Southeast Asia, targeting Chinese manufacturers operating in Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, and Cambodia, Reuters reports. ⁠
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The tariffs stem from a trade case filed by Hanwha Qcells, First Solar, and others who allege that Chinese companies were dumping subsidized solar products at prices that undercut U.S. producers. The duties range widely, with Cambodia-based producers facing rates above 3,500% for failing to cooperate with the investigation.⁠
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Products from companies like Jinko Solar and Trina Solar face tariffs of 41.56% and 375.19%, respectively, depending on country of origin. “These are very strong results,” said Tim Brightbill, attorney for the U.S. manufacturing coalition, adding that the penalties would address long-standing unfair trade practices. Imports from the four targeted countries, which made up the bulk of U.S. solar supply last year, have already dropped significantly as a result of the investigation.⁠
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Opponents, including the Solar Energy Industries Association, argue the tariffs will raise prices for U.S. solar manufacturers that rely on imported cells. These facilities have expanded since the introduction of clean energy subsidies in 2022. The International Trade Commission is expected to vote in June on whether the industry was harmed by the imports, which would finalize the tariffs.⁠
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Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and FDA Commissioner Marty Makary plan to announce a proposal to phase out eight petroleum-based synthetic food dyes from the U.S. market. The move, part of Kennedy’s “Make America Healthy Again” agenda, would initiate a regulatory process requiring public notice and agency review. The dyes are currently used in many food products across the country and would likely be replaced with natural alternatives.⁠
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The FDA permits 36 color additives in food, including eight synthetic ones. In January, the agency announced a future ban on Red 3, citing cancer risks found in animal studies. Kennedy has previously supported state-level bans on dyes in school meals, including yellow Nos. 5 and 6 and red No. 40, which are still approved by the FDA.⁠
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While the FDA states that “most children have no adverse effects when consuming foods containing color additives,” it acknowledges that some evidence links the dyes to hyperactivity and attention issues in certain children. Other regions, including Europe and Canada, already require warning labels or use natural substitutes instead.⁠
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