Scientific breakthrough originates in independent thinking and interest

An HIV positive patient, not pictured, receives a blood pressure test in Weishi county, Central China's Henan province in this Nov 30, 2015 file photo. [Photo/Xinhua]

HAN CHUNYU, an associate professor at Hebei University of Science and Technology, recently impressed the nation, indeed the world, with his breakthrough in DNA-guided genome editing. Cjn .cn comments:

Han's achievement should not be underestimated. Genome editing has been a headache for scientists and researchers, and Han's discovery grants them a pair of scissors to precisely edit them.

There are many reasons for Han's success, but surely one of the most important is his curiosity. Han is rather idealistic and he has always been pursuing his dream of turning Jurassic Park into reality. In an interview he said he pursued DNA-guided genome editing only because it is cool.

Han said that he never feels tired because he loves science from deep in his heart. It is such persistent interest in one's work that makes one excellent.

Finding joy in job has already proved the best password to success. Actually, Han was a follower of overseas researchers in life science; but his curiosity and interest in his work made him think independently and pursue his dream tenaciously.

Scientists should be idealists. It is such idealism that makes Han believe the laboratory is something sacred even though his equipment is not the best. In order to save time, he even refused a 130-square-meter apartment from the university, and chose a much smaller one near the lab as he even often sleeps inside the lab－"If the experiment requires, I can go without sleeping."

Han gets joy from his research and his work, and that's the key to his success.