ABSTRACT
Introduction It is usual for human society to organize itself into water-tight compartments or communities. This applies equally to the development of distinct scientific disciplines as to the formation of Departments of State with designated powers and responsibilities. For much of the time, such arrangements are rational and efficient. However, in situations where a response is needed which requires the crossing of disciplinary or institutional boundaries, a compartmentalized social model is probably the worst possible solution; all too often, specialisms create barriers of terminology, or procedure, which appear to be designed with the sole aim of inhibiting meaningful dialogue with groups from other backgrounds.
