The publication in the April, 2006 issue of Gastroenterology of Rome III has made available to the scientific world an enhanced and updated version of the Rome criteria and related information on the functional GI disorders. It is expected that the criteria will be adopted and used by physicians, pharmaceuticals and regulatory agencies worldwide, just as the previous Rome II became the standard for clinical practice and research. In this issue of J Gastrointestin Liver Dis, these Guidelines, the Rome III, are presented. Also included are some of the differences between Rome II and Rome III criteria as well as the rationale for publishing this new version.