Biotechnologies and liver diseases.

Viral hepatitis is surveyed as a European problem. The economic implications of including vaccines against hepatitis A and B in infant and adolescent immunisation programmes are discussed. The urgent need for vaccine against hepatitis C is stressed. Antiviral therapy for hepatitis B and C infections remains unsatisfactory. Costs of widespread implementation, particularly for hepatitis C, would be enormous and the selection of candidates for therapy is still under discussion. Increasing use of liver transplantation is prevented by donor shortage. Methods of artificial liver support must attract more research support.