The fiber of modern society.

A powerful perception that innovation has stagnated persists in the biomedical research community. In a series of Commentaries--three in this issue and more in future issues--diverse professionals engage in a critical dialogue on innovation that explores whether novel ideas continue to emerge and whether their implementation continues to create value. The authors also discuss ways to resuscitate innovation through new risk-benefit analyses, correction of funding follies, monitoring conflicts of interest, defining the roles of public and private institutions, and the teaching of innovation.