The Maastricht Consensus on the treatment of peptic ulcers recommended the use ofHelicobacter pylorieradication therapy in a wide range of patients with this condition, including those taking NSAIDs.*Professor Chris Hawkey, a leading gastroenterologist from the University of Nottingham, UK, questioned the value of this approach. He said thatH. pylorieradication treatment may even be detrimental to some patients. The issue was debated at the 6th United European Gastroenterology Week [Birmingham, UK; October 1997]. The consequences of mapping theH. pylorigenome for vaccine and drug development were also discussed.