I think it's important for scientists to be a bit less arrogant, a bit more humble, recognising we are capable of making mistakes and being fallacious - which is increasingly serious in a society where our work may have unpredictable consequences. Robert Winston More Quotes by Robert Winston More Quotes From Robert Winston My first vote was for a communist in east London when I was a medical student. But I've voted Tory, Labour and Lib Dem in my time. Robert Winston east-london students firsts A young woman in her teens has about 300,000 eggs in her ovaries. By the time she is menopausal, none are left. Robert Winston ovaries teens eggs It's very clear from Biblical history and Jewish history that Jewish monotheism wasn't developed in an instant, that it became gradually the accepted norm. But undoubtedly, Jewish ancestors were polytheists. Robert Winston jewish-history accepted biblical It is time my colleagues got real. All British universities doing worthwhile research use animals, and, instead of hiding, they should be boasting of their achievements. Robert Winston achievement real animal In prehistoric times, Homo sapiens was deeply endangered. Early humans were less fleet of foot, with fewer natural weapons and less well-honed senses than all the predators that threatened them. Moreover, they were hampered in their movements by the need to protect their uniquely immature young - juicy meals for any hungry beast. Robert Winston immature meals feet I went to school with butterflies of fear every day for years - from primary school onwards - not just worried about being bullied by classmates, but by teachers. Robert Winston butterfly teacher school I've been all over the world on my own because, as a scientist, you travel a great deal if your work is reasonably successful or published. I get invitations to go to all sorts of strange countries where I would mostly be by myself and just meet other people there, instead of having travelling companions. Robert Winston successful country people I don't believe in regretting - one should try to move on. My mum was good at that. She was deeply in love with my father, and he died when I was nine. She remarried, and her second husband died, too. I saw the grieving process she went through. My mother had this way of moving on. It was a fine trait. Robert Winston regret husband mother Over the past 20 years, I have presented many science programmes on BBC1. But none is, I think, more socially important, or of more human interest, than this ongoing series of 'Child of Our Time.' Robert Winston children past thinking People think I appear on television to promote my image. That's not fair. I hate filming. I turned down 'Strictly Come Dancing.' But television is a wonderful opportunity to promote scientific ideas. 'Super Doctors' is a very thoughtful piece. Robert Winston thoughtful hate opportunity Religion has endured since the dawn of human consciousness precisely because it encompasses so much of being human. No idea has endured so long, gathered up so many disparate needs and wants and feelings, and inspired so many different paths towards understanding it. Robert Winston understanding long ideas The trouble with climate change is it's an extraordinarily diverse and complex issue, but for example if the BBC would let me make some of the programmes I'd like to make on climate change, I bet you there would be a change of emphasis. Robert Winston issues climate example There needs to be clearer communication for the public avout how valuable it [animal testing] is Robert Winston communication animal needs You can't be judgmental about babies. They are all have different needs. I was left with an enduring hatred of cheese because it was forced down me when I was young. Robert Winston different hatred baby When I grew up, we didn't have a TV, and I think more families today have ambitions of getting out of their environment, such as sending their children to university. Robert Winston ambition children thinking That Britain today is a liberal society is largely because of the philosophy and outlook of the Anglican Church, which did so much to shape our core values in the past few centuries. Robert Winston church philosophy past I'm a traditional Jew with an orthodox background, and it informs much of my approach to science. Of course I think it's very important that if you have those sorts of backgrounds you don't impose them on other people as a clinician, of course. Robert Winston important people thinking I was born with my moustache and, no, I've never been tempted to shave it off. I don't spend a lot of time worrying about my face and, like Gilbert and Sullivan's Katisha, my best feature is my left shoulder-blade. Robert Winston mustache faces worry There were never any doctors in my family. But my grandparents and my mother had a strong social conscience that was formative. Robert Winston doctors strong mother Surgeons always underestimate the pain and disability involved in what they do to people. Robert Winston underestimate pain people
