Agony Quote by Paul D. Boyer
“If our society continues to support basic research on how living organisms function, it is likely that my great grandchildren will be spared the agony of losing family members to most types of cancer.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Public lecture on scientific funding, 1990s
Investing in basic biological research now can prevent future suffering from cancer for many generations.
In simple terms: Funding basic science today reduces future cancer pain.
Key Takeaway
Support fundamental research to protect future health.
Themes
science
health
future
investment
generational responsibility
Mood
hopeful
urgent
Type
advocacy
inspirational
When to use this quote
- grant proposals
- government budgeting
- public health campaigns
- educational outreach
- philanthropic funding
Key Concepts
cancer
basic research
biology
longevity
policy
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we balance short‑term needs with long‑term scientific gains?
- What incentives encourage sustained research investment?
A Different Perspective
Immediate results are uncertain, and funding is competitive.
![“[W]e must learn to accommodate ourselves to the discovery that some of those cunningly-fashioned instruments called human souls have only a very limited range of music, and will not vibrate in the least under a touch that fills others with tremulous rapture or quivering agony.” quote by George Eliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/9be/george-eliot-84_agony_w-e-must-learn-to-accommodate-ourselves_12409.jpg)
