Good morning. It's Friday, May 16, and we're covering a landmark treatment in the field of gene editing, arguments over birthright citizenship, and much more. First time reading? Join over 4 million intellectually curious readers. Sign up here.
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Gene-Editing Breakthrough |
A personalized gene-editing treatment successfully treated an infant with a rare genetic disease known as CPS1 deficiency, doctors announced yesterday. It marks the first time a patient of any age has been successfully treated via customized CRISPR gene editing.
While CRISPR—which typically acts as molecular scissors, deleting faulty genetic code (see deep dive)—has been approved to treat diseases like sickle cell and beta-thalassemia, these are relatively common diseases. CPS1 deficiency, which blocks the liver's ability to process ammonia, affects around one in 1.3 million children and is linked to specific mutations in each patient. Doctors used an advanced form of CRISPR known as base editing, which acts more like a "spell check" for genes and is capable of replacing individual bases with the correct code (watch explainer video).
Researchers hope the demonstration can be extended to treat millions of patients with rare or otherwise unique diseases. Read more about the development of the treatment here. |
The Supreme Court appeared undecided yesterday on whether lower courts can implement nationwide—rather than more limited—injunctions on presidential orders. The case stems from President Donald Trump’s January executive order seeking to end birthright citizenship, which has been blocked nationwide by three federal lower court judges.
Birthright citizenship offers full legal rights to anyone born in the US regardless of immigration status (read 101). It has been the legal precedent in the US since the passage of the 14th Amendment in 1868. The administration argues this practice does not include children born to parents in the country without legal status and claims it incentivizes unauthorized migration. Critics of the administration say overturning the practice would create a second-class group of noncitizens in the US.
The justices debated whether universal injunctions—whose use by lower courts has increased significantly in the last decade—could be replaced by class-action lawsuits, which require more stringent review. A decision is expected this summer. |
A rare original Magna Carta from 1300 has been identified in Harvard Law School’s archives. Purchased in 1946 for just $27.50 (about $477 today), it was misfiled for decades and long mistaken for a replica. The sheepskin parchment is now confirmed as one of only seven known surviving originals issued by King Edward I that year.
British historians discovered its significance after encountering a high-resolution digital image online. They then used ultraviolet light and spectral imaging to compare the physical texts to verify its authenticity. They believe the document was first sent to the parliamentary borough of Appleby-in-Westmorland, England, and later purchased by London book dealers from a Royal Air Force war hero before being sold to Harvard.
First signed in 1215 by King John, the Magna Carta established the principle that no one—not even a monarch—is above the law. The 1300 version, known as a Confirmation of the Charters, reaffirmed those rights and helped lay the foundation for constitutional law, including the US Constitution. |
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Sports, Entertainment, & Culture |
> The 2025 WNBA season kicks off today; see previews and predictions for all 13 teams (More) | NFL owners to vote next week on proposal to allow players to play flag football at the 2028 Summer Olympics (More) |
> Grammy-winning R&B artist Chris Brown arrested in Manchester, UK, over alleged 2023 assault at a London nightclub (More) |
> The 150th Preakness Stakes, the second leg of horse racing's Triple Crown, is set for tomorrow (7 pm ET, NBC); Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty will not run but is expected to race in the Belmont Stakes (More) | What is the Triple Crown? (More) |
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> Scientists use stem cells to grow a human amniotic sac, the protective bubble that shields the fetus; model allows study of how the structure supports embryonic growth between two and four weeks (More) | What are stem cells? (More) |
> Feline genetic mutation responsible for turning cats orange pinpointed by scientists; sex chromosome-linked variation predominantly affects male cats (More) |
> Microparticle drug delivery system could provide multiple vaccinations without the need for follow-up shots; approach allows drug payloads to be released weeks or months after being administered (More) |
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In partnership with Nautilus |
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> US stock markets close mixed (S&P 500 +0.4%, Dow +0.7%, Nasdaq -0.2%), with S&P 500 notching gains for fourth straight day on optimism over signs US-China tariffs will be reduced (More) |
> Walmart officials warn prices will be raised on most consumer goods in response to Trump administration tariffs as soon as the end of the month (More) | How tariffs work (More) |
> Thirteen people charged by federal prosecutors in scheme to steal more than $265M in cryptocurrency (More) | UnitedHealth reportedly under federal investigation for potential Medicare fraud (More) |
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> US negotiators present outline of nuclear deal to Iran; President Donald Trump says Iran is close to agreeing to terms, which would include the lifting of US sanctions (More) |
> Florida becomes second state to ban the addition of fluoride to municipal drinking water, following Utah (More) | Census Bureau releases list of fastest-growing cities in 2024; Dallas suburb of Princeton tops list with 31% growth (More) |
> Germany to raise defense spending to 5% of GDP following US push for NATO members to increase financial contributions (More) |
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> The Toupee Is Making a Comeback
GQ | Alex Nino Gheciu. Modern hair systems are experiencing a comeback among millennial men, thanks to advanced materials and influencers who reveal natural-looking transformations, challenging outdated stigmas around hair loss. (More) |
> American Money Taking Over English Football
Bloomberg | Staff. More than half of English football clubs will be fully or partially owned by US investors next season, who are embracing American-style, multiuse stadiums to boost revenue. But some fans worry this commercial focus is leaving them behind. (Watch) |
> The Coyote Next Door
BioGraphic | Betsy Mason. Urban coyotes are not just surviving but outsmarting the challenges of city life. What makes them succeed when so many other species have failed? (More) |
> Six Seconds That Changed the World
Global | Benedict Townsend. Before TikTok, there was Vine—the first platform for short, user-generated videos that launched viral trends and influencers. But despite its cultural impact and rapid growth, the app shut down just three years later. (Listen) |
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