During the last few years the science of human genetics has been
expanding almost explosively. Original papers dealing with different
aspects of the subject are appearing at an increasingly rapid rate in a
very wide range of journals, and it becomes more and more difficult for
the geneticist and virtually impossible for the non geneticist to keep
track of the develop- ments. Furthermore, new observations and
discoveries relevant to an overall understanding of the subject result
from investigations using very diverse techniques and methodologies and
originating in a variety of different disciplines. Thus, investigations
in such various fields as enzymology, immunology, protein chemistry,
cytology, pediatrics, neurology, internal medicine, anthropology, and
mathematical and statistical genetics, to name but a few, have each
contributed results and ideas of general significance to the study of
human genetics. Not surprisingly it is often difficult for workers in
one branch of the subject to assess and assimilate findings made in
another. This can be a serious limiting factor on the rate of progress.
Thus, there appears to be a real need for critical review articles which
summarize the positions reached in different areas, and it is hoped that
"Advances in Human Genetics" will help to meet this requirement. Each of
the contributors has been asked to write an account of the position that
has been reached in the investigations of a specific topic in one of the
branches of human genetics.
