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Martin Rees

Martin Rees

5 commentaries

Martin Rees, a cosmologist and astrophysicist, has been Britain’s Astronomer Royal since 1995. He is a former Master of Trinity College, Cambridge, and former President of the Royal Society.

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  1. The Biomedicine Threat
    rees4_Andrew Brookes_Getty Images_laboratory Andrew Brookes/Getty Images

    The Biomedicine Threat

    Sep 6, 2019 Martin Rees fears that rapid scientific advances in the field will come with escalating ethical and safety concerns.

  2. Are Moonshots Still Possible?
    op_rees_moon_landing_ Apic_Getty_Images Apic/Getty Images

    Are Moonshots Still Possible?

    Jul 19, 2019 Martin Rees reflects on the legacy of the Apollo program and the future of human space exploration.

  3. Is Immortality Worth It?
    rees3_GettyImages_infinitysymbolclocks Getty Images

    Is Immortality Worth It?

    Jul 11, 2019 Martin Rees warns that increasingly extreme approaches to extending human life are likely to have unwanted consequences.

  4. Risking It All

    Risking It All

    Mar 7, 2013 Martin Rees on how and why nuclear deterrence worked.

  5. Can Science Save the World?

    Can Science Save the World?

    Nov 5, 2008 Martin Rees

  1. elerian167_Michael M. SantiagoGetty Images_nyse Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

    Navigating Major Transitions in an Uncertain Economy

    Mohamed A. El-Erian explains how to recalibrate expectations in the face of yet another forecasting failure.
  2. brosda1_Matt CardyGetty Images_social media news Matt Cardy/Getty Images

    Must Democratizing the Media Be Bad for Democracy?

    Carsten Brosda proposes a strategy to defend the digital public square against manipulation and algorithmic distortion.
  3. mazzucato66_Soumyabrata RoyNurPhoto via Getty Images_IndiaUPI Soumyabrata Roy/NurPhoto via Getty Images

    Central Banks in a Cashless World

    Mariana Mazzucato & David Eaves explain why policymakers should become more involved in shaping or creating digital-payments infrastructure.
  4. nsofor9_ Zhu Huanan  CFOTOFuture Publishing via Getty Images_hpv vaccine Zhu Huanan / CFOTO/Future Publishing via Getty Images

    Governments Must Step Up to Prevent Cervical Cancer

    Ifeanyi M. Nsofor urges policymakers worldwide to commit to administering the HPV vaccine as widely as possible.
  5. op_ghilarducci1_Jeffrey GreenbergUniversal Images Group via Getty Images_USelderlyworker Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

    The Perils of Retirement in America

    Teresa Ghilarducci

    The US retirement system is failing American workers. But after decades of pushing fake fixes – especially forcing people to work longer – US policymakers have an opportunity to make real progress in bolstering Americans' economic security in old age.

    proposes a Grey New Deal that would boost economic security for all US workers in old age.
  6. nishtar8_AMAURY HAUCHARDAFP via Getty Images_africavaccine Amaury Hauchard/AFP via Getty Images

    Fifty Years of Immunization Success Call for 50 More

    Sania Nishtar touts the remarkable results of global collaboration on routine vaccination and foresees continued progress.
  7. GettyImages-2149550584 Photo by MARK PETERSON/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

    Trump on Trial

    From a long list of criminal indictments to unfavorable voter demographics, there is plenty standing between presumptive GOP nominee Donald Trump and a second term in the White House. But a Trump victory in the November election remains a distinct possibility – and a cause for serious economic concern.

  8. woods56_Alex WongGetty Images_georgieva Alex Wong/Getty Images

    The IMF Chose the Right Leader the Wrong Way

    Ngaire Woods thinks the Fund’s process for selecting its managing director is woefully out of step with today’s world.
  9. bildt122_Mikhail SvetlovGetty Images_trumpputin Mikhail Svetlov/Getty Images

    Trump Is Putin’s Only Hope Now

    Carl Bildt considers the implications of Ukraine finally receiving the Western military aid it has been waiting for.

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