Genomic medicine: Who will practice it? A call to open arms

The Human Genome Project and other recent developments will broaden and inc rease the importance of genetics in health care. "Clinical genetics" will b ecome "genomic medicine" and will no longer be almost the sole purview of g enetic specialists-medical geneticists, genetic counselors, and genetic adv anced practice nurses. The changing use of genetics in health care will req uire the acquisition of new knowledge, skills, and attitudes by many health care professionals who are not genetic specialists. Such health care profe ssionals will not only be necessary to the widespread integration of geneti cs into clinical care, but they will make unique contributions to this inte gration that will add to the quality of genomic medicine. This new use of g enetics in health care will also allow, even require, new ways of working f or genetic specialists, who will continue to occupy unique and vital roles.