Business funds science when it anticipates a good return on investment. It is important that we protect intellectual property, so that businesses are encouraged to serve us in that way. However, we can’t rely on business to invest in all of the science that we need to do. Many of our greatest inventions and technologies come from pure research done for the love of it, not for money, or military objectives. The whole of humanity would benefit from new energy technologies, but there is no incentive for business to invest in that while there is money to be made in oil and gas. Vested interests resist the transition to other sources of energy. It is up to governments to take the lead in funding the science that we need. Many simple interventions can improve our health, happiness and well-being, including exercise, diet, mindfulness, belief, relationships, healing therapies, touch and spending time in nature. But these things receive little attention from researchers because no one sees any profit in it. It is the responsibility of government, philanthropists and charities to fund this research for the benefit of all.