If You Were Filthy Rich, Would You Contribute Your Money To Science?

[Happiness14]

If so, what branch of science? Why?

[kvalidir]

Medical research and social philanthropic projects appeal.

[Mamyalynne]

Medical Science and another vote for Cancer Research - know too many who are being or have been affected.

[emmie]

cancer research undoubtedly, seen too many people get ill and some have passed away from this dreadful disease.

[scooping]

The thing I don't understand about curing cancer is that, if one in three of us succumb, a cure would mean an enormous bulge in the older population. It seems to me that would be an enormous societal problem...

[DTCwordfan]

so no dosh for dementia then? mmmm

[pastafreak]

No dosh for cancer...unless there is war and famine...

[scooping]

Simply posing the question that a cure for cancer would have enormous consequences...

[EcclesCake]

There has even a handful of answers DTC, quite probably reflecting the responders personal experience. You are, of course entitled to state your allegiance to a charity. To express a hint of uppitiness because the the choice of others doesn't meet your agenda is petty.

[david small]

Research into sterilisation of half the planet, before its too late.

[Tilly2]

Since the disease had such an impact on my loved ones' lives, I would donate lots to Arthritis Research but a lot of my money would go to my favourite charities.

I won £100 on the premium bonds this month so half of that has gone to one particular charity this afternoon. Every little bit helps.

[hereIam]

No, I would rather give to animal charities and old peoples' charities and help starving kids.

[jim360]

High-Energy Physics... so I could just get it all back again?

In all seriousness, I'd probably donate it to general medical research. Those worried about overpopulation etc, should surely note that the population growth of a country tends to decrease as medical care improves.

[Tilly2]

Is that so, Jim? I didn't know that.

[HansUrbancka]

Cancer Research conducts experiments on animals and this is a reason that I refuse to contribute to the organisation which appears to have found-out nothing to cure the curse which is Cancer. However, Cancer Relief is a worthy cause and I do contribute.

Hans.

[jim360]

Just to be clear I mean the rate of population growth -- population still increases, just rather slower. Indeed in Japan the population has flatlined for over a decade.

I think the simple explanation is that birth rate declines as medical care improves -- both because of greater use of contraception/abortion but also because there's less "need" to have so many children to cover for all the ones that die young.

But anyway.

[Tilly2]

Thanks for that, Jim. :-)

[hereIam]

Hans at 16:57 totally agree.

[Sqad]

Jim

"should surely note that the population growth of a country tends to decrease as medical care improves."
I am sure it is me missing the point but "doesn't the population INCREASE as the medical care improves?"
People live longer........?