Oncogenesis results from an accumulation of genetic mutations in a single cell. Mutations may result in the cell acquiring new functions or losing specific functions required for normal growth control. Evidence for the latter may be adduced from the results of fusing tumour and normal cells to form somatic cell hybrids, and from studies of allele loss in a number of human tumours. The locations the critical genes have been discerned in some cancer predisposition syndromes either by observations of consistent cytogenetic abnormalities, or by genetic linkage studies, or both. Genes whose inactivation is important in the genesis of retinoblastoma, Wilms' tumour and colorectal cancer have been identified and cloned. Their normal functions include control of transcription and cell-cell interactions. In the case of retinoblastoma, the interaction between the normal gene product and that of the transforming genes of a number of oncogenic DNA viruses has been delineated. Identification of 'tumour suppressor' genes has not only improved understanding of the process of oncogenesis, but may also aid in the presymptomatic detection of mutant gene carriers.