The theme of the ICC bulletin for the year 2002 is life science and life style and, as every year it is about Italy and Singapore. Life science, like life style has to do with creativity, innovation, pushing the barriers and breaking out of the mould. Conformist societies tend to preserve and maintain, supervise and control while open societies are better at innovate; finding new ways, trailblazing, experimenting.

There are times in history when existing models, experimented solutions; traditional wisdom does not help any more. The scale of the problem is different and solutions have to be found at a different level. These are the times when new ways have to be tried, new relations
established until a new solution is found, the problem is solved and a new balance is established. In the process, society has changed. Life science, like life style is more a passion for innovation, for excellence and grace than an exact science.

It has to do with the ultimate desire of elevating the quality of people's life. It may involve nanotechnology but it aims to change the way in which we make materials, it deals with tissue engineering but it aims to offer hope to people affected by diseases. The decision of Singapore to embrace life science will therefore have far reaching implications that will affect this society profoundly. There are ethical implications that were not present when promoting chemical science or semiconductor manufacturing.

It will be more than making money or creating new jobs. It will change the life style of Singaporean society. To succeed in their quest to establish a life science hub in Singapore alliances with overseas institutions will be established, foreign researchers and scientists invited to live and work here and to interact with local researchers, institutions and companies. In this exchange each party will give and take in terms of culture, mores, habits and style.

To succeed the change will have to be pervasive. We will have to learn to accept differences. Italians have often been acknowledged for their creativity in fashion, music, design, boats, cars, food and machinery to name a few. The world renown Italian life style and appreciation for the good things in life come from a long historical heritage that encompass years of foreign domination, colonialism, independence, Arabic trigonometry, Greek democracy and Roman military discipline, religious acceptance and fanaticism, family values and avanguard excesses.

It is this multitude of events, different in nature and instigated by different circumstances that have produced something of globally accepted significance - a life style. It is not easy and it will not be easy for Singapore either even if the scale may be different. Italy can contribute to this process of transformation, of unique life style promotion, with a combination of humanistic values and scientific innovation.Ultimately life science is a tool and life style is the end.