EDITORIAL Merging genetics and epidemiology: What is in it for public health?

The results of the human genome project were published and celebrated at the turn of the millen-nium as a milestone in our understanding of human biology [1,2]. Genetics has drawn enormous atten-tion from the research community, the general population, media, policy-makers, gene-ethics activists, and investors over the last 15 years. Expectations are high concerning future diagnostic and treatment opportunities, although it is not at all clear when preventive measures and treatments will materialize as a result of new genetic knowledge. Sceptics claim that the ethical problems, social and political considerations, environmental factors, prevention, and public health perspectives are neglected, and that the aetiological significance o