From the editor

Abstract

This issue we break from tradition. We have no guest editor for September buf present a potpourri of papers and staff articles. Due to space limitations we were unable to publish Dr. Reggia's fine paper on computer-assisted medical decision making in the June issue. We also want to apprise our readers of computer use in both dentistry and veterinary medicine - areas where computers are also having a major impact. Importantly, we feature another look at education in biomedical engineering. White and Plonsey's paper should put to rest comments about the inadequate education of bioengineers. Our article on internships for clinical engineers features the bright and not so bright sides of current programs. Our other staff paper on bioengineering at the University of Utah swings positive to show what a dedicated group of faculty can do to make their institution a truly outstanding one. In addition, Webster gives us two reports on bioengineering education and research developments in two other countries China and Brazil. We also reprint an article about a fascinating bit of bioengineering history and entrepreneurship - the development of a commercial pacemaker and the founding of Medtronic, Inc. Patent Editor Ron Cohn was kind enough to submit a paper on the patent and copyright aspects of computer programs. This is particularly appropriate since the issue of protection of programs is far from resolved.