New gene therapy helps those battling sickle cell anemia

A new gene therapy could help patients with sickle cell anemia.

It's a painful, debilitating disease that affects millions of people across the globe, mostly of African heritage.

Although there's still no universal cure for the genetic disease, researchers at the National Institutes of Health say they may have discovered an effective treatment.

In a small clinical trial, they're using a gene therapy technique that locates and fixes the genes responsible for different diseases.

Researchers say nine patients taking part showed signs of remission within two or three months.