The genetic pathway for the activation and completion of programmed death of cells is as complex and well regulated as the pathway for cell proliferation. The identification of both the genetic elements in the signal transduction pathway involved with the initiation of programmed cell death, as well as the cellular machinery involved with DNA and cellular fragmentation into apoptotic bodies, is developing rapidly. Attempts at understanding how these elements are co-ordinated into a temporally discrete series of metabolic steps is only just beginning. This research not only will be fruitful from a basic science standpoint, but should also identify new approaches for cancer chemoprevention and therapy.