Caenorhabditis elegans is a rhabditid nematode. What relevance does this ha
ve for the interpretation of the complete genome sequence, and how will it
affect the exploitation of the sequence for scientific and social ends? Nem
atodes are only distantly related to humans and other animal groups; will t
his Limit the universality of the C, elegans story? Many nematodes are para
sites; can knowledge of the C. elegans sequence aid in the prevention and t
reatment of disease?