Are We Prepared for a Pandemic? YOUR OCT. 31 COVER ARTICLE, "THE Fight Against the Flu," correctly points out that new technologies can speed the process in combating the avian flu, but we never would have known the molecular identity of the virus had there not been a repository of human disease tissue dating back almost a century.  This tissue repository at the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology is a treasure trove of information waiting to be discovered. Current discussions on how this repository will be used are of critical import. A national dialogue was held in August and its conclusions, which may be found at auburnstrat.com, may bring us closer to fighting diseases of the future.