PERSPECTIVES AND FUTURE-DIRECTIONS

An outline of the history of immunogenetics is presented. The usefulne ss of the Rh, KLA and Gm systems in disease prediction and prevention will increase with our capacity precisely to relate polymorphic varian ts to particular functions and pathophysiological events. Alloimmuniza tion to Gm markers is common in rheumatoid arthritis, an allegedly aut oimmune disease. This paradox and the paradox of nonnominal allotypes, disobeying Mendelian rules, are resolved by the interpretation that h erpesviruses may transfer nonself polymorphic genes. Transduction of s uch genes may be important also in AIDS pathogenesis.