Human genetics in health care

The Human Genome Project, the mapping of our 100,000 genes and the sequencing 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 diseases to their molecular causes is rapidly expanding diagnostic and preventive options, while the increased insights into molecular pathways open tremendous 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 recognition abilities are greatly accelerating progress. However, the optimal value from the current explosion of 'data mining' possibilities will only be gained when the basic data are made and kept publicly accessible, while at the same time safeguarding the protection of intellectual property arising 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 project. 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 discrimination of individuals and groups and the maintenance of respect for the diversity of our world's cultures and traditions.

The acquisition and use of genomic information for health care benefit should be seen in the light of a worldwide improvement without prejudice.