The elucidation of the precise molecular genetic defect in a large kindred with familial pancreatitis was one of the seminal events in pancreatology.<sup>16 Whitcomb D.C., Gorry M.C., Preston R.A. , et al. Hereditary pancreatitis is caused by a mutation in the cationic trypsinogen gene Nat Genet 1996 ;  14 : 141-145  [cross-ref]

Cliquez ici pour aller à la section Références</sup> Expectations were high. Some anticipated that clinical trials designed to exploit this new understanding of the pathophysiology would start within 1 or 2 years. More than 2 years after the description of the gene defect, clinicians are beginning to understand that knowledge is power, but it may not be immediate power. Clinicians have known the exact molecular defect of several disorders, such as sickle cell anemia for more than 30 years, and in most of them have made only marginal progress in disease treatment. There have been no cures.