Potential DNA methods for measuring the human heritable mutation rate

Potential methods are reviewed for estimating human heritable mutation rates by comparing the DNA of parents of offspring. In the 4 years since the Alta Workshop on this subject, information has accumulated on several of the six methods detailed in that meeting. Some of the methods now appear to be infeasible, and all continue to be too inefficient for practical implementation. Newer DNA approaches are discussed, including several that could become practical enough for implementation. Finally, DNA-oriented methods using human sperm are considered as possible alternatives to the heritable approaches.