Medical progress has shattered our conceptions of illness. But the institution is in crisis: it needs solid reforms, equal in force to its new powers. Professor Funck-Brentano, a specialist in the artificial kidney as well as a pioneer of medical computer technology, pronounces a serious diagnosis, but doesn't forget to prescribe the treatment, in the form of entirely rethought and reformed ethics and health policies.

Jean-Louis Funck-Brentano is a member of the Comite des applications at the Academie des Sciences. He works and teaches at the Hospital Necker in Paris.