COVER STORIES
MEDICINE: The Future of Drugs
Now that our dna has been decoded, the search for better, faster and more effective medications begins in earnest

THE LABS: Inside the Brave New Pharmacy
At a leading genomics company, the star of the show is a robot

DISEASES: The Search for Cures
For AIDS, cancer, mental illness, obesity, Alzheimer's, etc.
Antibiotics: The microbes are winning
Delivery: Beyond pills and needles
Natural remedies: Turning poisons into potions
Recreational drugs: What comes after K and ecstasy?

THE YEAR IN MEDICINE: An A-to-Z guide

M I D D L E   E A S T
ISRAEL: The Hit Squads
As the new intifadeh slows, the work of assassins is growing

E U R O P E
CZECH REPUBLIC: Back to the Future?
Official meddling in TV news recalls the days of communism

SWITZERLAND: Thank You for Smoking
Marijuana is the country's newest growth industry

A F R I C A
SOUTH AFRICA: Who's Sorry Now?
A drive to make amends for apartheid sparks fierce debate

A S I A
THE PHILIPPINES: Turmoil and Tragedy
Damning testimony-and bombs-rock Estrada's presidency

CHINA: Secrets of a Massacre
A new book describes the power struggle that led to Tiananmen
Sourcing: Orville Schell analyzes the evidence

MONGOLIA: Going Underground
Homeless kids in Ulan Bator take refuge in the sewers

B U S I N E S S
ENERGY: Natural Gas, Unnatural Prices
The heartland pays for warmth as California frets about lights

T H E   A R T S
CINEMA: East meets West in a film with universal appeal
Robert de Niro and Ben Stiller team up in a funny farce
Three generations of Ralph Fiennes in Sunshine

MUSIC: Erykah Badu's new CD has soul and guts

TRAVELER'S ADVISORY

LETTERS

NOTEBOOK

MILESTONES

YOUR TECHNOLOGY

YOUR HEALTH

PEOPLE

ESSAY