The Grandest Challenge: Taking Life-Saving Science from Lab to Village

by Abdallah Daar, Abdallah S. Daar

The Grandest Challenge begins with a simple that every person's life is of equal value, regardless of where in the world he or she lives. It also begins with an alarming that in this age of spectacular scientific advances, it is still those who live in the developed world--mainly the west--who overwhelmingly benefit from our enormous new power to combat disease and enhance food, while those in the developing world are far more likely to die for lack of basic health care and inexpensive nutrition.

As personalized medicine, designer drugs, and high-quality nutrients become more readily available than ever in the richest parts of the world, distinguished doctors Abdallah Daar and Peter Singer urge us to pause and ask these vital Who will have access to the life-enhancing advances of biotechnology? And who are these advances ultimately meant to help?

In this challenging, controversial, thought-provoking, and humane book, Daar and Singer inspire us to look more deeply at our new science, and at the revolution that is already changing all of our lives.

Genres: Nonfiction

304 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2011

Reviews

[Lauren McGinney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspiring ideas behind the author's journey to implement scientific research where it is most needed, and has the highest positive impact. Revealing personal stories and case studies still lack practical advice, however. Highly recommend to anyone desiring to learn about the challenges of social change and medical implementations - and EVERY scientific researcher, biobusiness entrepreneur, and policy maker.

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the type of thinking that will change the world. Instead of just throwing money at developing countries, Drs. Daar and Singer makes a strong argument for supporting science and innovation in developing nations to lift people out of poverty, improve their health, and extend their life expectancies. They talk about the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation which has worked hard to not only develop vaccines, but bring them to the villages. Same thing with business partnerships in African countries to manufacture mosquito nets with long-lasting insect repellant to prevent malaria. Or pharmaceutical companies in India and Indonesia to work on HIV drugs and vaccines.

I really like their emphasis on developing the relationships between scientists, businesses, non-profits, and putting upfront issues like ethics; social & cultural sensitivies; business development and planning with the communities on a local level in order to ensure that the science can be brought to the villages.

This has significantly changed my thinking on philanthropy. Well done.

[Rebekah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting read, but perhaps contains a bit more name-dropping than I would like, without any real specific action items. Still, a good overview of where we are, from where we've come, and at least the authors' point of view on how we should move forward.

[Krysta · Rating 5 out of 5]

A seriously amazing and incredible perspective on global health and medicine and the bioethics of developing, testing and distributing much needed health care to developing counties.