At first glance, Western humanism, Japanese Buddhism and modern science have so little in common that the very idea of seeking common ground through dialogue seems overly idealistic. Only a man the calibre of Daisaku Ikeda could bring such a project to fruition. Firmly setting aside clich©? and facile answers, he broaches the grand questions that face today's society: cancer, AIDS, death with dignity, in vitro fertilization, biomedical ethics ?Œ The responses offered by Ren©? Simard, molecular biologist and geneticist, and Guy Bourgeault, bioethicist, are insightful and compelling. Their discussions cut through linguistic and cultural barriers to present a vision of the potential ? an the inherent challenges ? of being human.