Molecular genetics and its application to cardiac muscle disease.

The application of the techniques of recombinant DNA and molecular biology to molecular genetics has made it possible to identify any disease-related gene in which there is a family of 2 or more generations with 10 or more living affected individuals. Several genes have been identified that are responsible for cardiomyopathies and of particular interest is familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy which is the most common cause of death in the athlete. Pre-screening for genetic abnormalities will be possible prior to the development of symptoms and, ultimately, such testing will also be used to specify the type of exercise to be recommended for different types of athletic training or exercise needs.