Abstract
The information gained from the Human Genome Project and related genetic research will undoubtedly create significant changes in health care practice. It is becoming increasingly clear that nurses in all areas of clinical practice will require a fundamental understanding of basic genetics. This self-learning module provides the oncology nurse with an overview of basic genetic concepts including inheritance patterns of single gene conditions, pedigree construction, chromosome aberrations, and the multifactorial basis underlying many common diseases of adulthood. Normal gene structure and function will be introduced and the biochemistry of genetic errors will be described.