E-Book Overview
This book expands the debate on the future of science and technology at the Curious2018 – Future Insight Conference, held on the occasion of Merck’s 350-year anniversary. In the respective chapters, some of the world’s top scientists, managers and entrepreneurs explore breakthrough technologies and how they can be applied to make a better world for humanity.
Divided into three parts, the book begins with an introduction to the vision of the conference and to the importance of curiosity for innovation, while also exploring the latest scientific developments that are shaping the future of healthcare, medicine, the life and material sciences, digitalization and new ways of working together. In the second part, particular attention is paid to new therapies and diagnostics; here, readers will learn how synthetic biology and chemistry are being used to solve problems that are essential to the future of humanity. The role of in-silico research is also discussed. In the final part of the book, readers will find some thoughts on ethical principles guiding our application of science and technology to create a bright future for humanity.
Given its interdisciplinary appeal, the book will inspire curiosity in a wide readership, from scholars and researchers to professionals with an interest in exploring the future of science and technology, solving the problems of today, and paving the way for a better tomorrow.
Chapters 1, 2, 3 and 17 are available open access under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License via link.springer.com.
E-Book Content
Ulrich A. K. Betz Editor Curious2018 Future Insights in Science and Technology Curious2018 Ulrich A. K. Betz Editor Curious2018 Future Insights in Science and Technology 123 Editor Ulrich A. K. Betz Vice President Innovation Merck KGaA Darmstadt, Germany ISBN 978-3-030-16060-9 ISBN 978-3-030-16061-6 https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-16061-6 (eBook) © Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2019 Chapters 1, 2, 3 and 17 are licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons AttributionNonCommercial 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/). For further details see licence information in the chapters. This work is subject to copyright. All rights are reserved by the Publisher, whether the whole or part of the material is concerned, specifically the rights of translation, reprinting, reuse of illustrations, recitation, broadcasting, reproduction on microfilms or in any other physical way, and transmission or information storage and retrieval, electronic adaptation, computer software, or by similar or dissimilar methodology now known or hereafter developed. The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc. in this publication does not imply, even in the absence of a specific statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use. The publisher, the authors and the editors are safe to assume that the advice and information in this book are believed to be true and accurate at the date of publication. Neither the publisher nor the authors or the editors give a warranty, expressed or implied, with respect to the material contained herein or for any errors or omissions that may have been made. The publisher remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. This Springer imprint is published by the registered company Springer Nature Switzerland AG The registered company address is: Gewerbestrasse 11, 6330 Cham, Switzerland Foreword Not many institutions, let alone pharmaceutical companies, are able to celebrate a 350th anniversary. But Merck was in the enviable position to do just that. Th