The discovery of chloroform: has David Waldie's role been exaggerated?

ter, it is not uncommon for anesthesiologists to counsel and anesthetize such patients. Often, patients are advised of their possible genetic disposition and a trigger-free general or regional anesthetic technique is used, with safe results. Anesthesiologists are often in the difficult position of meeting a patient for the first time minutes before the start of a procedure and do not have all of the patient’s relevant medical information. There is a clear need for assistance when it comes to genetic counseling. We hope that in the days of personalized medicine, anesthesiologists will better educate themselves in genetics as it relates to anesthetic practice, seek the expertise of colleagues in medical genetics departments, and foster a pragmatic relationship for the benefit of patients.