Discovering the Cause of AIDS

Abstract

Great discoveries in science are infrequent, yet they are the grist that motivates every scientist. This source of motivation is critical because most experiments advance our knowledge little, and even when an experiment “works,” the step forward is small. Great discoveries happen within different contexts. Some occur when the scientists are not anticipating the outcome—these are genuine gifts of nature. Others occur when clearly defined questions, usually with “yes” or “no” answers, are posed. And often those posing the query are not the ones making the discovery.