ABC of clinical genetics. Treatment of genetic disorders.

Letter written by boy aged 11 with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The prevention of inherited disease by means of genetic and reproductive counselling and prenatal diagnosis is often emphasised. Genetic disorders may, however, be amenable to treatment, either symptomatic or potentially curative. Treatment may range from conventional drug or dietary management and surgery to the future possibility ofgene therapy. The level at which therapeutic intervention can be applied is influenced by the state of knowledge about the primary genetic defect, its effect, its interaction with environmental factors, and the way in which these may be modified.