The columnar epithelium-lined distal esophagus, to which Norman Barrett’s name has become attached because of his 1950 report [1], constitutes a ripe source of controversy today. Barrett described peptic ulceration in what he considered to be an intra-thoracic extension of the stomach in the presence of a congenitahy short esophagus. This impression was later corrected by Allison and Johnstone who identified the location of the ulcer as in the esophagus [2]. Although Barrett considered the condition as “rare and of little chnical significance”, it is now recognized as a relatively common entity. However, many aspects of its development, management and precancerous nature remain controversial. Its propensity for mahgnant degeneration is what concerns us here and by way of introducing the topic, let me make a few general comments based on both the hterature and my own personal experience.