There have been changes in the practice of fixation over the past 10 years. There seem to be at least two different pressures working. On the one hand, there is increasing diversity in cell biological techniques which in turn demands more variable fixation procedures. Some of these have been outlined. Some of this change in practice has percolated through to pathology where it has been found to be diagnostically useful. In surgical pathology on the other hand, there is the continuing financial pressure for more rapid through-put of specimens which includes more rapid fixation, often with the loss of potential for subsequent chemical investigations. These are the horns of the dilemma; both are wanted at the same time. It seems that there is no magical fixative in sight which will permit all investigations on all tissues. Rather, it seems that the future will hold increasing diversity in fixation procedures which will demand that practitioners be well informed as to possibilities which, hopefully, may lend to better understanding of the problems and mechanisms of fixation.