Hope for gene therapy on cystic fibrosis
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Scientists have cured laboratory mice suffering from cystic fibrosis - the commonest genetic disorder of north Europeans - and believe it shows gene therapy on human cystic fibrosis patients will work.
Today's issue of the science journal Nature reports that researchers from Oxford and Cambridge universities inserted healthy copies of the gene into the lungs of the diseased mice using a substance that could be developed into an inhalation spray for human patients.
Cystic fibrosis affects about 1 in 2,500 children in the UK. Patients develop severe lung problems which often kill them by the age of 25 to 30.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments