A seminar on how we can prepare for the challenge of human genome sequencing was held in Biomedicum, Helsinki. 130 experts discussed the various ways in which genomic data will change patient care and the subsequent development of next generation sequencing methods. Entire exomes and genomes can be sequenced with remarkably low expense and genetic data is quickly becoming an integral part of health care. This imposes several challenges to health care and to societies in information technology, economics, legislation and ethics, to name but a few.