Human genetics in health care

The Human Genome Project, the mapping of our 100,000 genes and the sequenci ng of all of our DNA. will have major impact on biomedical research and the whole of therapeutic and preventive health care. The tracing of genetic di seases to their molecular causes is rapidly expanding diagnostic and preven tive options, while the increased insights into molecular pathways open tre mendous perspectives for pharmacological and genetic therapies. The design of animal model systems for the functional study of disease and development and the use of bioinformatics and biostatistics to improve our pattern rec ognition abilities are greatly accelerating progress. However, the optimal value from the current explosion of 'data mining' possibilities will only b e gained when the basic data are made and kept publicly accessible, while a t the same time safeguarding the protection of intellectual property arisin g from downstream inventions. This is one of the goals of the international Human Genome Organisation, established 10 years ago to assist coordinating data acquisition and exchange and societal implementation of the genome pr oject. Additional points of major attention in this historic endeavour are the safeguarding of a worldwide balance in the contribution and benefits to countries and populations, the prevention of stigmatisation and discrimina tion of individuals and groups and the maintenance of respect for the diver sity of our world's cultures and traditions. Conclusion The acquisition and use of genomic information for health care b enefit should be seen in the light of a worldwide improvement without preju dice.