The extremely rapid development of modern techniques for analyzing the human genome, both in the field of scientific research and diagnostic applications, entails a variety of problems whose solution lags far behind our current technological capabilities. These problems appear in the ethical, social, legal or religious spheres and include such detailed issues as e.g. examination of children for diseases manifested in adulthood, accidental (secondary) results being a side effect of the analysis of the whole genome, the growing offer of tests directed directly to the recipient, patenting of genetic information, confidentiality of genetic data and their availability to third parties, availability of genetic counselling, etc. The legal regulation of these problems, the list of which is growing at an alarming rate, still remains in the sphere of declarations, and its shift to the sphere of real actions seems to be lagging further and further back in time. Do patients, laboratory diagnoses, doctors still have to be held hostage by the legislative impotence?
The article describes a country-wide attempt to organize a network of laboratories performing molecular diagnostic procedures in a context of clinical hematology. The principles of construction of a commissioned grant in molecular hematology are presented. A major result of this project, the monographic book on molecular hematology is being announced.
History, structure, organizational and functional principles of the International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology in Warsaw are presented. Current developments and the influence of the Institute on Polish scientific milieu, particularly in light of current debate on necessity of reorganization of Polish institutions dealing with research and/or higher education, are being discussed.