ABSTRACT
We hope that the different chapters of this book will convey to anyone interested in pharmacogenomics some idea of the various themes and areas of specialized knowledge that will have to come together to convert expectations to reality. The expectations, which have been aroused by pharmacogenomics are substantial and involve the gradual development of personalized medicine or therapeutics, leaving behind the present statistically based medicine. There are variable estimates of the time, which these processes may require; perhaps it will take 15 to 20 years. Eventually, however, pharmacogenomics is hoped to be a major payoff for society from the scientific and technical revolution called ‘‘genomics.’’
