Caenorhabditis elegans is a rhabditid nematode. What relevance does this have for the interpretation of the complete genome sequence, and how will it affect the exploitation of the sequence for scientific and social ends? Nematodes are only distantly related to humans and other animal groups; will this Limit the universality of the C, elegans story? Many nematodes are parasites; can knowledge of the C. elegans sequence aid in the prevention and treatment of disease?