More on the endgame

The obligation of compromise is to give up, or give back, in order to get something in return. Rep. John Dingell's concession last week on the Advisory Council on Breakthrough Drugs says a lot about the art of compromise, played by an experienced hand, and points to some important issues that confront the biotechnology industry as it plays out the health care reform game.

Dingell's concession - perhaps in conjunction with recent conciliatory remarks about biotechnology by President Clinton (Commentary, April 11) - serves notice that the administration and its stalwarts in the House are determined to get a health bill before the fall elections. As we mentioned last week, it means that endgame strategies are coming into play, and those who would compromise must be thinking about what they will give up, or give back, to stay in the game...