Knowledge for its Own Sake

Science provides the best way of understanding the world in which we live. As many funders recognise, this understanding – knowledge for its own sake – is important in its own right, but can also lead to improvements in health and our quality of life.

We don’t always know which lines of research will lead to practical outcomes – a principle Jim will illustrate using some of his own work (among other examples). But supporting research with the sole intention of improving understanding is never money wasted. It is important that this is understood by the public and by policymakers, so that science continues to drive the UK economy.

Sir Jim Smith is Director of Science at Wellcome. He is an award-winning developmental biologist who has identified the molecular signals that pass between cells in developing embryos to drive the formation of tissues and organs. His current research is exploring what occurs within cells after they receive such signals.