Immunoassays: Clinical Laboratory Techniques for the 1980's

philosophy of the counselee as principal decision maker is affirmed, and the nondirective nature of most genetic counseling is emphasized. Genetic heterogeneity as a confounding variable is stressed, and the need for correct diagnosis is emphasized. There are a number of rather dogmatic statements. Some of these, such as the opinion that every chromosome study should be a banded one and a cytogeneticist consulted, are difficult to disagree with and can probably be backed up with data. Others are of a more philosophical nature, and represent the author's opinion. Surely an author of Reed's stature and experience is entitled to state them. Readers will find them food for thought even if they disagree. There are occasional flights of fancy, such as the statement that it is "reasonable to expect . . . that all children will have a chromosome scan a few years from now before leaving their hospital of birth." The chapter about the role of genetic factors in intelligence is sensitively written and again draws on the vast experience and insight of the author to put the issues in perspective. The review of the psychoses is interesting, if simplified, but it is surprising that the theories of single gene determination for bipolar disease are not mentioned. The book will be of value to general physicians, even students. While some knowledge of formal genetics is helpful in fully appreciating the volume, the chapters on basic concepts have sufficient information to make the book interesting and readable for a lay audience. The bibliography might be even more helpful than it is if, rather than alphabetized at the end of the book, it were divided with relevant citations placed at the end of each chapter. All clinical geneticists will find it enjoyable leisure reading and will value it for the extensive literature references alone.