[js1138]

But many such prior endeavors have lead to some incredible gains. Thus scientists pursue some things they know may never be fully understood.

Gravity took centuries to get from Copernicus to our present state of confusion. Nevertheless, our understanding is useful, if incomplete.

The more we learn about the minimal states of life, the more likely we are to be able to treat and prevent cancer and genetic disorders.

At the moment, tens of thousands of home PCs, including some owned by freepers, are working on understanding protein folding.

[Shryke]

Indeed. As you can see, I am trying my best (clumsily) to explain that very point.