When the publisher approached me almost three years ago with the request to write a textbook on human genetics with the character and scope of the textbook on physiology by REIN/SCHNEIDER, I initially had serious doubts. It was clear to me from the outset that it was impossible to present the special human genetics in a satisfactory way in this context. The available material is too extensive, too widely scattered and too unequal in quality. In addition, such a methodically clean attempt had to significantly exceed the set scope. Today, it can only be read through on the basis of a manual written by many authors. So from the outset only a textbook of general human genetics came into question for me. Despite STERN's excellent book in its own right, I thought it was enough in the German-speaking world.