One approach, used by Shenzhen SiBiono GeneTech, a Chinese company, is to replace broken tumour-suppressor genes with the correct version.

ECONOMIST: The prospects for using genes as a therapy may be improving

In China, Shenzhen SiBiono GeneTech won approval for a gene therapy drug for head and neck cancer in 2003 but no products have been approved until now in Europe or the United States.

MSN: European regulators back first gene therapy drug