BioVision – The World Life Science Forum 2007

BioVision – The World Life Science Forum
Lyon, France (March 9-14, 2007)

Basically it is 大鸣大放大辩论. I would call it “Social Development 101 for Life Science”. It turned out to completely be a discussion about how life science could serve the social development. Scientists and policy-makers are excited about how to tackle social issues, such as poverty and diseases, while industry executives pull every fiber of their bodies to prove they have been doing so effectively. BioVision is not a scientific forum, neither a business one. Its sister, BioSquare, is the business part and held at the same place, same time.

Jeffrey D. Sachs, a professor of Columbia University and director of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) Project, delivered the introduction speech at the beginning and then defined the tone of the whole conference. His speech was so successful and touching that he almost gained supports immediately from all participants. The audience stood up at the end of his speech and the applause lasted more than three minutes. Then all speakers had to talk about MDGs or how they are working on relevant social issues. This is my first time to know how powerful an Opening Mark could be.