The biological resolution of malformations of the central nervous system

It has been known for years that the assembly of the nervous system is under genetic control. During the last 10 years, the genes that direct the formation of the brain and spinal cord have begun to be discovered at an amazing pace. Mutations in the fruit fly and advances in molecular genetics have led the way. Gene mutations that cause many of the malformations of the human brain and spinal cord are now known. This has many physician-scientists hoping that an understanding of cause might lead to cure.