Dna By Special Delivery

While legions of scientists are hunting down mutant genes like the culprit that causes some colon cancers, other researchers are seeking ways to fix the damage done by these mistakes of nature. Still in its infancy, the field of "gene therapy" has spawned dozens of experiments aimed at treating ailments ranging from cystic fibrosis to brain tumors. The goal is to transplant new genes into humans to do the work of defective ones -- or to give patients extra genes useful in fighting diseases.

One of the toughest tricks is getting genes into the right spot in the body. Up to...

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