This address by the Director of the National Institute on Aging is a plea for the recognition of the necessity of fundamental research on the aging process. It cautions that new scientific discoveries need to be evaluated more carefully before they are used on humans, and warns that the effects of drugs and treatments on older people may vary from other adults. Therefore, the author suggests that research on aging is essential along with more informed, coordinated health care that safeguards against the premature use of highly potent technologies in the practice of medicine. (Author/DOW)