  The cross section for producing a heavy reaction product, $\sigma$$_{EVR}$,
can be represented by the equation \sigma_{EVR} = \sum_{J=0}^{J_\max}
\sigma_{capture} (E_{c.m.},J) P_{CN} (E^*,J) W_{sur}(E^*,J), where
$\sigma_{capture}(E_{c.m.},J)$ is the capture cross section at center of mass
energy E$_{c.m.}$ and spin J. P$_{CN}$ is the probability that the
projectile-target system will evolve from the contact configuration inside the
fission saddle point to form a completely fused system rather than
re-separating (quasifission, fast fission). W$_{sur}$ is the probability that
the completely fused system will de-excite by neutron emission rather than
fission. I discuss results of experiments that characterize these quantities in
heavy element synthesis reactions. I also discuss the possibilities of
synthesizing heavy nuclei using damped collisions and reactions using
radioactive beams.
