Hans Clevers – Prizewinner 2016

Dr. Lothar Dittmer, Chairman of the Executive Board of the Körber Foundation, relativised this enthusiasm for science somewhat. It is well known that trained physicists, chemists and engineers are in short supply. "What is the explanation for the discrepancy between people's respect for scientific and technical knowledge and the rather uninspiring job image of the representatives of this profession? Why are scientists not considered 'cool'? Perhaps this is due to the blatantly erroneous assumptions that scientists work alone, that other professions could help humanity more effectively and more quickly or that science is too abstract.

Our impatient society wants solutions immediately, Dittmer went on. Yet the more we regulate science and trim it to rapidly exploitable results, the fewer breakthroughs and innovations there will be. As a founder, Kurt Körber also recognized this: "Although I am actually an impatient person, I have taught myself to exercise patience when it comes to scientific research." Instead of control, confidence in the winners – who know better what the next best step should be – is the basis on which the prize is awarded. This has produced outstanding results and in the meantime several Nobel Prizes. Nevertheless, we must concern ourselves more with what will determine the future of our society, said Dittmer. His proposal: In view of the extensive ignorance of science and technology on the part of the media, what Germany really needs is a scientific and technical literacy campaign.

In the subsequent discussion, the scientific journalist Ranga Yogeshwar wanted to know from Clevers whether such research could perhaps ultimately make eternal life possible. Even without being able to say now exactly where the development of organoids using stem cells might lead, the prize winner played the idea down. Living for ninety healthy years and then making way for the next generation is more like what he envisages. Could experiences from scientific work also be transferred to everyday life, asked Yogeshwar. A laboratory is a society in miniature, Clevers replied. It is important to trust each other, then you also get trust back in return and work is more fun.

Trust is very important in science, underlined Professor Dr. Martin Stratmann, President of the Max Planck Society and Chairman of the Financial Board of the Körber Prize. However, this trust must also be earned. Science is now more expensive than it was 200 years ago and society would like to know where funds are going. Information technology will also change this society greatly in the future, he added. Children must be familiarised with such tools at an early age. Teaching computer science in school ultimately also means preserving the prosperity that we have today.