Plain English with Derek Thompson Bill Gates on Progress, Food Technology, and the Battle Between Climate Change and Innovation
Sep 13, 2022
Bill Gates, founder of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, shares his insights on global health and development. He highlights encouraging trends, like the decline in poverty and child mortality rates, while emphasizing the need for continued progress. The conversation delves into the fascinating domain of genetics and its potential to revolutionize agriculture. Gates discusses innovative food technologies aimed at boosting food security in Africa and strategies to combat the impacts of climate change, especially for smallholder farmers.
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Crisis and Progress
- Crises can spur progress, as seen with the HIV/AIDS epidemic, where deaths were ten times lower than projected.
- Generosity and innovation are key, with each life saved costing about $1,000 through effective interventions.
Child Mortality Decline
- Child mortality under five has decreased by 50% since 1990, mainly due to increased vaccine access.
- Organizations like Gavi and the Global Fund are crucial in providing affordable vaccines and combating diseases.
Genetics Research
- Genetics is a promising area of science with potential for curing diseases like HIV and sickle cell.
- The cost of these cures can be significantly reduced through research and development.