Science and the World's Problem 科学与世界难题

In saying that the world is at a crossroads created by science and technology I know I am notthe first. But mankind cannot afford to hesitate in indecision. There is only one choice for us. We must begin to move along the road to a better future for all the peoples of the world and wemust do this now.

By the end of the 20th century, the population of the world might have been doubled. Inattempting to ensure food, clothing and a dignified standard of life for this enormous host ofpeople we must use every weapon that science and technology can give us. There are obviousdifficulties for the less developed areas in doing this — for example, lack of capital, differencesin social structure and inadequate knowledge.

Our strategy to overcome these difficulties must be total. We have to look at world problemsas a whole, that is, try to better our understanding of the complex interactions between themultitude of development activities. We already know the great gifts that science andtechnology can bestow on all nations. If we are made wiser by a constant appreciation of thecomplexities of what we are attempting, the faster we shall move towards a solution of thereally imperative problems that confront us everywhere.