[The human genome project: reflections of an expert]

Just about five years have elapsed since a handful of leading scientists began to discuss the opportunity to launch the Human Genoma Program, an international organized effort to characterise all the genetic material--DNA--of the human organism. Today, the project is well under way with the participation of tens of thousands investigators from all over the world and the direct involvement of major sponsoring bodies such as the United States Department of Energy and the National Institutes of Health, the European Economic Council, the USSR Academy of Sciences and the Governments of France, Great Britain, Italy, Japan and Spain. Yet, the reactions of the general public to the Project is, to say the least, very diverse. Some are sure of its positive impact on the prevention and cure of inherited diseases, some fear its infringence on individual privacy, but the majority remains totally indifferent. Since the lack of adequate information is the common denominator at the root such different reactions, this Editorial will try to summarise the major issues of the Project and their impact on Society.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)