Baby steps in medicine

Twenty-five years ago there was great hope that advances in the understanding of the genetic underpinnings of cystic fibrosis heralded a cure in the near future.  That early hope was dashed, but medical researchers keep making small, concrete advances, many of which can hugely open up the life of teenagers and young adults suffering from this disease.  It may not be too long before we can refer to middle-aged people suffering from it.  It was not so many years ago that only a lucky child could survive it to the age of six.