In this issue of Nursing Clinics of North America, guest editors Sarah Dewell and Trina Walker bring their considerable expertise to the topic of Health and Genes: Expanding Foundational Nursing Knowledge. Genetics is now influencing assessment, diagnosis, and management across all areas of practice, and in this issue, top experts explore the connection between health, genes, and nursing care. Articles equip nurses with an understanding of basic genomic concepts and principles, how they are used in practice, and how they will shape future nursing care - including key topics such as pharmacogenomics.