The evolution of big ideas

T he history of science is littered with big ideas—from the Earth being a globe, to the theory of gravity, to phlogiston theory, to the theory of evolution and cold fusion—some of which eventually ended up on the great heap of disproven theories as new knowledge proved them to be wrong or unfeasible. In biomedical research, grand visions include the Human Genome Project (HGP) or the Human Brain Project, therapeutic approaches such as gene therapy or regenerative medicine, or radically new methodologies like genomics or systems biology. All of these ideas have generated much excitement if not hype mainly about their potential to cure diseases or improve human health. Some of these ideas eventually delivered on their promises, whereas many other putative breakthroughs have faded from public attention. ...................................................... “The tendency to get excited by new ideas is intrinsic to the human condition and should be embraced. . .” ......................................................