[Predictive genetic testing - change in paradigms for prevention and health care?]

The post-genomic era promises to offer new insights into the nature of disease, its prevention, and treatment. But now that there is a draft code of the human genome, what does this knowledge mean and how might it be applied? How to use genetic information to promote health and prevent disease - the fundamental mission of public health - will be one of the most challenging tasks in future. Assessing the benefits and risks of predictive genetic testing and the efficacy of early interventions as well as exploring complex issues that have emerged (e. g., rapid commercialization of genetic tests, availability of and access to interventions, and potencial discrimination) call for public health leadership.