Gene Transfer a Success Researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill report that healthy genes they transferred into human cells one year ago continue to operate normally. The development is an important step along the way to what could develop into more effective methods for treating genetic diseases such as hemophilia and cystic fibrosis. The scientists attribute their discovery to the successful use of an artificial chromosome to get an entire functioning gene into a human cell. Currently, the state-of-the-art treatment for genetic diseases is to use miniaturized versions of human genes which do not include all of the controlling material which govern how a gene will behave. As a result, the insertion of this portion of genetic material could cause damage including the mutation of cells to bring on illnesses such as cancer.