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It is too early to predict the diplomatic, political, and military outcome of the Egyptian President's recent trip to Israel. However, one detects a palpable sentiment of hope among the peoples in the Middle East as this historic trip hopefully ushers in a new era of open communications among beleaguered nations. The medical profession discerns in this spirit of cooperation an opportunity for service to mankind that has been denied for 30 years to the physicians in this region. Medicine is among the first casualties of political barriers to free travel, and ultimately, the loss to mankind resulting from scientific isolation may be greater than the numbers killed in border skirmishes or even open warfare.
Perhaps more than any other segment of world society, physicians can have no "enemies." It is the patient who is deprived of access to the best possible care when diplomatic barriers between countries result in