However, the most exciting prospect is gene therapy. This means getting normal CF genes into patients who have only defective CF genes. It sound logical but there are at present many difficulties. The first approaches are to try and get normal genes into the lungs of CF sufferers, because that's where most damage occurs. Clinical trials have started and the early results are encouraging.
Gene therapy is such a novel form of treatment that it has to be addressed with caution.
The first step is to ensure that the genes do no damage. Then to find out if the introduced genes are still working and how long they will continue to work. There are lots of new developments happening all the time. To keep updated, check out our CF News page. Genetics, carrier tests and tests during pregnancy.