I mean, basically these dogs were blind and now they are not blind anymore. Scientists have been able to restore sight to blinded mice before, but only temporarily. This is the first such success in reversing genetic blindness in a large animal. Moreover, the restored sight lasted at least 9 months after the initial injections, though further observations and research will obviously be required to see if the treatment is permanent or will require additional injections. If continued studies with dogs finds that the procedure appears safe, initial human clinical trials of a similar technique could begin in three or four years and have implications for a number of genetic vision-related diseases that affect as many 200,000 Americans.
Gene therapy restores dogs' sight .
The BBC, April 27, 2001. Gene Treatment Restores Vision in Blind Dogs . Rick Weiss, Washington Post, April 28, 2001. New gene gives some sight to 3 blind dogs . Faye Flam, Philadelphia Inquirer, April 28, 2001.