What researchers want

We, virologists, are seen like the eccentrics. People think that virologists are carrying out small experiments night and day with smiling. It will be seen like a wasting of talent and effort. Sometimes non-scientist people ask us our purpose. Officially we answer that our study will solve the problems of many viral diseases. When we want grants that are the official budgets for research, we should say such a high-sounding statement. The government gives us the grants for solving problems, not for our personal pleasure. But actually we just do what we want to do. I research the mechanism of the replication system of a RNA virus because I love it. Of course I am glad if my research will help the troubled people, whereas it is not my basic purpose. Many researchers are categorized as the people who work by doing what they want to do.