When “Useless” Research Has Long-Term Benefits

"By investing in basic science, we are addressing all other issues. Think about the money we spend in defense or the money we have to spend in health care or education, you want to do it in a smart way. For instance, these days we are able to deal with diseases at the molecular level, which is only possible because fifty years ago we allowed scientists to ask basic questions about the basis of life. So it is not a cost, it is an investment that in the end will allow us to be much more cost effective in all the other subjects."

Hear more from Robbert Dijkgraaf, Institute Director and Leon Levy Professor, as he discusses the long-term benefits of basic research and the societal importance of scientific funding.