CIVIC LANE The past few months have produced striking advances across medicine and biotechnology. Researchers have reported personalised gene therapy that reduced severe epilepsy in two boys, while early-stage work on a vaccine targeting mutant KRAS has shown promising immune responses in people at high risk of pancreatic cancer. Other researchers are investigating universal malaria vaccines, invisible wearable sensors and new approaches to regenerative medicine. Many of these technologies remain experimental, but some could eventually transform the prevention or treatment of serious disease. The bigger question is which field deserves the greatest public attention and investment.