Recent and ongoing advances in mapping and isolating human epilepsy genes will: (i) modify the classification of the epilepsies; (ii) base antiepileptic drug development on defined epilepsy mutations; and (iii) spur the development of somatic cell and/or germ line therapy for the fatal progressive myoclonus epilepsies and, eventually, the chronic generalised and partial epilepsies.In the next century, advances in these 3 areas will dramatically change the diagnostic, therapeutic and prognostic approach to patients with epilepsy, and will probably eliminate some genetic epilepsies within 2 or 3 generations.