A nucleic acid transporter to deliver a nucleic acids into cells, comprising a cationic compound having a cationic head group for binding the nucleic acid and a lipid tail for association with the membrane. A cationic compound usually is a polyamine or a short basic peptide. The lipid tail is usually selected from the group consisting of plant steroid, animal steroid, isoprenoid compound, aliphatic lipid, pore forming protein, pore forming peptides and fusogenic peptides. The cationic head and the lipid tail are linked through a carbamate linkage. When polyamine is used, it is preferably either spermidine or spermine and the nucleic acid can be any of a variety, including triplex forming oligonucleotides, antisense oligonucleotide, aptamers, ribozymes, plasmids and DNA for gene therapy. Also described is a method for treating individuals using the transporter linked to a therapeutic nucleic acid.