Ruth Jessen Hickman, MD, is a freelance medical and science writer based in Bloomington, Indiana. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approvals of the first cell-based ex vivo gene therapies for beta thalassemia and sickle cell disease (SCD) mark a significant scientific achievement. Two physician- scientists, Stuart H. Orkin, MD, and John F. Tisdale, MD, made key research contributions that helped make these life-changing innovations possible. Stuart H. Orkin, MD John F. Tisdale, MD Dr. Orkin is