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Level A1 – BeginnerCEFR A1
2 min
73 words
- Sickle cell is a serious inherited blood disease.
- Many babies in Africa have this disease.
- The disease causes pain and health problems for children.
- Uganda now screens babies for sickle cell at birth.
- Screening in hospitals is free for newborns now.
- New gene therapies are approved in rich countries.
- These therapies use gene editing and cell treatment.
- The treatments are very expensive and not available locally.
- Local training and support are needed now.
Difficult words
- inherit — Passed from parents to a childinherited
- screening — Medical tests to find a disease early
- newborn — A baby who is just bornnewborns
- therapy — Medical treatment to help a sick persontherapies
- gene — Part of body that carries traits
- expensive — Costing a large amount of money
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Would you want newborn screening for your baby?
- Should local health workers get training and support?
- Do you think gene therapies are too expensive?
