Genetic testing for Huntington's disease.

and moulding technicians as well as surgeons. Although it is reasonably straightforward to simulate anastomosis of hollow viscera, a much greater challenge faces design teams in creating simulated tissues for dissection and resection. The structure of surgical training in Britain is undergoing considerable change at present. Entry to a surgical career in the future seems likely to be preceded by a more thorough assessment of the candidate's potential as a surgeon. Aptitude testing-including evaluation of psychomotor skills such as manual dexterity and eye-hand coordination-is already being used in Holland in selecting surgical trainees.7 The structure of professional examinations for surgeons is also being radically altered, and discussion is taking place about the possibility of testing manual skills as part of the surgical fellowship examination. Simulation may well find a place in these assessments of trainees, and its importance in surgical training seems destined to increase. I M C MACINTYRE Consultant Surgeon, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh EH4 2XY A MUNRO Consultant Surgeon, Raigmore Hospital, Inverness