Basically, I want to do a PhD with a focus on molecular genetics and have applied for several that seem to span a broad range of topics. When I finish, I would quite like to go into areas such as stem cell biology, cancer genetics, I mean basically anything to do with human genetics. I was just wondering whether if you did a PhD on genetics of wheat or bacteria for instance, this would send you down a particular route that would make it difficult to get into work in human genetics, maybe as a clinical scientist. I mean if you do a PhD that teaches you how to analyse the genes of one organism, does that mean you have to spend your whole career studying that particular one? Would it be more advisable for me to hold out until next year and apply again if I don't get onto one with an emphasis on human genetics?
I know it seems a rather odd/naive question, but hey, I am odd and naive.

Mark

Short answer, No, a PhD is to teach you 'how to research', you will pick up invaluable techniques that I am sure will be applicable in many areas, even beyond genetics. The only question you should be asking yourself is would you enjoy doing genetics of an animal other than that of humans? ( though I am abit perplexed as to how these would differ as genes are genes are they not??).

Plus even by waiting a year you may not find something related to humans anyway and you would have just wasted a year. Perhaps you may find you enjoy working on another organism anyway.