To a critical degree, Medicine by its nature is a social enterprise, not simply an individual effort. Its body of knowledge and practice derives from the research, work and experience of people throughout our nation and the world, both present and past. The modern research, treatment and prevention of illness depends on the cooperative work and contributions of many people -- health professionals, scientists, support workers, communities and nations. Physical resources and financial support needed to train physicians and other health workers and to provide health care can only be provided by communities and society as a whole. Contributions of societies and nations across international borders to communication, information-sharing and common efforts are essential to overcome current threats to human life on earth.

Major leaders in medicine and public health have long espoused the view that medicine and public health can achieve their ultimate goals by bringing their knowledge, expertise and experience to bear on political decisions of their societies. For Rudolph Virchow, the founder of cellular pathology in the nineteenth century, and for our contemporary, Bernard Lown, co-founder of PSR and IPPNW and 1985 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, the ultimate goal of medicine, the protection of human life, could only be attained by actualizing the social responsibility of physicians in their human societies at-large.

Overcoming the major medical threats to life on earth In the modern world will require fundamental commitments and concerted efforts by the nations and societies of the world acting together. Small Pox has been eradicated by such recent coordinated work. Combating and defeating the pandemic of AIDS, and the environmental threat of global warming will require such understanding and commitment. Prevention of nuclear terrorism and war, the only rationale medical response to these threats, will require such effort. The activation of the social responsibility of physicians and other health professionals can make an essential contribution to the success of this cause.