[How should be the genetic medicine in the near future?].

Massive and systematic information on human genes and genome is accumulating with progress in the Human Genome Project. Information on the genome has the characteristics of a digital signal appropriate for high-throughput handing by computers. Therefore, the field of gene tests has a high affinity to the field of laboratory medicine. In addition, it is important for survival strategy by departments of laboratory medicine that stand on the edge. We have to establish an infrastructure to utilize genome information in clinical medicine while anticipating numerous issues. The following issues need to be addressed in addition to the previous report(Rinsho Byori 50: 156-160, 2002) 1. Integral system for genetic medicine. 2. Center for human germline gene tests. 3. Quality control of human gene tests. 4. Epidemiological data of germline gene tests.