The only thing that is certain about the future of mankind is that there will be change. For many years now, our society and culture have been undergoing unprecedented transformations, thanks in part to the effects of improving technology. For some, the accelerating pace of change seems disconcerting, maybe even frightening. Such people see upheaval and chaos rather than renaissance and revolution. But for many of us, there is an altogether different feeling, a feeling that there has never been a more exciting time to be alive.

In the field of medicine in particular, there is cause for great optimism. We have never had greater power for restoring, maintaining, and extending health, and yet the big payoff is clearly still ahead of us. Each year that passes marks a new record for medical research funding, and the impetus to greatly increase that funding is gaining strength daily.