Facebook’s CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, and his wife, Priscilla
Chan, announced in September, 2016, that they would invest more than $3 billion
during the next decade to build tools that can facilitate medical research on
diseases. The first outlay of funds ($600 million) would create a research lab
of engineers and scientists from the area’s major research universities.[1]
“This focus on building on tools suggests a road map for how we might go about
curing, preventing and managing all diseases this century,” Zuckerberg said at
the announcement.[2]
Moreover, the couple had previously announced a year before that they would
give away 99% of their wealth over their lifetimes through the Chan-Zuckerberg
Initiative in the areas of education and healthcare. I would like to point out
a few implications that may not be readily apparent.
The full essay is at "Zuckerberg Donates $3 Billion."
1. Deepa Seetharaman, “Zuckerberg Fund to Invest #3 Billion,” The Wall Street Journal, September 22, 2016.
2. Ibid.