ABSTRACT
The relationship between genetic endowment and environment can be illustrated by a simple genetic model of disease determination in individuals with early heart attacks due to high cholesterol. Genetic causes are a major factor in these failed pregnancies, most strikingly during the first three months after conception. The impact of genetic disease on the use of pediatric health care is substantial. Determining the role of genetics in disease will require better methods of classifying disease and processing health data. A less remote scenario may result from the elucidation of the genetic components of such common disorders as atherosclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and diabetes. The dangers inherent in premature and uncritical implementation of programs for genetic identification suggests that some "hurdles" might usefully be put in place. Modern advances in knowledge provide a number of opportunities to incorporate genetic services into appropriate health care.
