Given the lie by geopolitical realities, clichés such as "one world," "spaceship earth," and "global village" still ring true when uttered by scientists. Even at the height of the cold war, scientists have maintained cross-"curtain" communications. Clearly, isolationism is not in their books.
Least isolationist of all are American physicians. Eager to learn, to teach, to exchange knowledge and, when necessary, to help, they travel widely—the choice of their destination often guided by a sponsoring national or international medical organization. One such destination is Tel Aviv where the AMA First International Health Conference will be held Feb 21 through March 6, 1973. Ironically, the selected conference site is in a land where enforced isolation is a constantly dangling threat. Only by the grace of open seas, open skies, and open minds, and by the determination to keep them open is this threat being circumvented.
In this fast-developing, but hardly a