The Fight against Diseases: Comments Related to “science for Man and Man for Science”

While the main topic of my presentation is science in search of solutions against diseases, therefore a topic definitely concerned with the contribution of “science for men”, I want to express my concern about the topic “man for science”. We cannot have only science applied to the betterment of mankind, or improvement of technologies: There will be no applied science if there is no science to apply. We have to make science more attractive to young men and women at the start of their careers. We must fight more vigorously against the discrimination of women scientists – and I do not mean “affirmative action”. We do not have to lean backwards, just give them the chance they deserve. And we must include in our responsibility as scientists towards society at large the special responsibility towards younger scientists.