Communication in biomedical science, as currently structured, assumes the voluntary participation of all researchers in the peer review of articles submitted for publication. Nonscientists express wonderment at the tradition of scientists participating anonymously and without remuneration in peer review. On the other hand, many pressures threaten to erode the moral imperative and collegiality underlying such responsible voluntarism. The increasing competition for diminishing research funds, opportunities for commercial exploitation of research findings, and the growing volume of papers submitted for publication assault the researcher's time and interest in this form of community service.Theoretically, experienced and accomplished researchers of high status . . .