On October 25, Dr. McMahon, scientific and clinical director, Liver Disease and Hepatitis Program, Alaska Native Medical Center, spoke about HBV genotypes and viral levels in relation to treatment issues. Although there is some evidence that HBV genotypes may correspond to the risk of disease progression and effectiveness of treatment, they appear to be less critical in making treatment decisions for HBV than for HCV. The data on HBV DNA, however, shows that high levels of DNA increase the risk of cirrhosis and liver cancer.