A Brief History and the Present and Future Status of CNAPS

1948 marked the identification of DNA in peripheral blood by Mendel and Metais and the beginning of modern cell biology after the 2nd world war. During the period that followed, little was heard of the peripheral blood DNA, but there was research activity concerning the movement of DNA about plants that led to parallel studies on animal systems. This resulted in the establishment of the capability of DNA to leave and enter cells as well as to circulate about plants and animals. Subsequently, together with improved technology and analytical genetics, both DNA and RNA markers have been identified that may act as early indicators of a pathological state and also have a use in the monitoring of treatment. This chapter offers some historical background to CNAPS and indicates both the current state of the art as well as the directions in which the research is developing. Attention is drawn to the ethical and legal problems arising through the development of the genetic information and the testing systems. The topics discussed are expanded in the subsequent chapters.