This volume contains all the invited papers, symposium contributions and workshop reports of the 7th International Congress of Human Genetics, held in West Berlin from September 22 to 26, 1986. The organizers of this congress made sure to gain the cooperation of the leading scientists in the field from all over the world. These contributions therefore document the enormous progress made in human genetics research in recent years. The volume covers a wide range of topics, from analysis of the human genome to basic mechanisms, diagnosis and therapy of hereditary diseases, and to distribution of normal and pathological genes and DNA variation in human populations. Ethical issues raised by modern developments are discussed thoroughly. The volume is a must for all scientists and medical doctors working in human genetics research, its teaching and practical applications.