The revolution in genomics, genetics, cell and developmental biology has broad implications for all the biological and medical sciences. We can expect that the 30,000 human genes will present new therapeutic targets and that more genes will be discovered that will contribute to our understanding of the risk factors for disease. At the same time, the relationship of the genotype to phenotype is growing more complex, and simple genetic explanations are likely to have been overestimated. Cell and developmental approaches, however, offer a new view of the physiological adaptability and evolutionary adaptability. Biological systems are both robust and adaptable. Robustness refers both to environmental perturbation and genetic polymorphisms. A quantitative understanding of biological systems as networks may pave the way for new therapies based on "dirty" drugs and managing pleiotropic effects. Biological systems, particularly those involved in information transfer, are highly poised and easily modified by environment and genetic background. Understanding how these signal transduction systems behave, will contribute to a new picture of the interplay of environment and heredity in both normal and abnormal function.
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