My Journey into Gene and Cell Therapy

Overall, my journey into the American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy (ASGCT) has been a fulfilling and enlightening experience. I am excited to continue learning and contributing to the advancements in this field that have the potential to revolutionize the health care system. 

The quest for novelty and search for knowledge brought me to gene and cell therapy during my postgraduate studies, where I presented a seminar on a topic titled "Genome Editing: The Promise, Ethical Concerns, and Perspectives in the Cure of Sickle Cell Disease." The seminar was impactful and appealing to the audience. Becoming an ASGCT member gave me the opportunity to further my knowledge on cell and gene therapy developments, especially those related to blood disorders, e.g., sickle cell disease (SCD), hemophilia, etc. These novel developments and their impact on the areas of my interest {SCD, Anaemia; iron deficiency anemia} made me desire to be part of the activities and developments championed by the ASGCT. 

I was privileged to be part of the 141 participants from 14 countries who participated and earned certificates from the 2023 Global Gene Therapy Training by ASGCT and Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS), and among the six awarded the ASGCT Global Outreach Travel Stipend to attend the ASGCT 27th Annual Meeting last May. The knowledge gained from these programs, especially from the latest scientific research and technologies in the field, increased my quest for more knowledge and compelled me to join ASGCT, which will provide me with a platform for more knowledge in this evolving field of medicine. 

I believe in the revolutionary power of gene and cell therapy, and it is the solution to our present and future challenges in medicine and health care. The revolution will eventually take over the conventional approaches to disease management of health challenges. I'm excited to be part of developments that will take away pain and improve the quality of life. 

As part of my contribution to the vision of ASGCT, in January 2024 I lead a step-down training based on the knowledge I gained from attending the Global Gene Therapy Training (GGTT) for educators in one of the health tertiary institutions in Nigeria. Currently, I have written proposals to reach out to other institutions and stakeholders to provide information leading to awareness and understanding, as well as to facilitate plans towards the development of gene and cell therapy in Nigeria. 

In June, I had the opportunity to share my experience in developing a step-down training during the 2024 Global Gene Therapy Training. It was an exciting experience to teach 234 participants from 16 countries about how to conduct a step-down training. ASGCT has made strides to provide equitable access to gene therapies in low- and middle-income countries by providing the global audience with accurate and up-to-date information. This has been done through education and training programs to increase awareness and understanding of gene therapy. ASGCT’s effort to make sure that these developments reach Africa, where the global burden of devastating genetic diseases that are potentially treatable with gene therapies, is highly impactful.  

I am grateful for the opportunities provided by ASGCT and look forward to being actively involved in the global efforts to make gene and cell therapy accessible to all, especially in LMICs where the need is greatest. I am ready to be part of the movement that will transform lives and make a significant impact on human health and well-being. 

Ishaku Benn Samuel works at Kebbi State Ministry of Health Headquarters, College of Health Sciences and Technology Jega, Nigeria.