In the worldwide quest to begin the eradication of health and disease issues in some of the poorest countries on earth, the Gates Foundation -- headed by Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates and his wife Melinda -- planted a tall order on scientists this week.

Both leaders of the Gates Foundation urged scientists to try and eradicate malaria from the face of the planet instead of trying to find ways of controlling the spread of the disease. Trying to completely get rid of anything biological on a planetary scale is hard to do, but that is what's being urged. Is it even possible?

Melinda Gates did say that it was "a long-term goal; it won't come soon,", noting that it would take quite a while for complete elimination to occur. But, she added that "to aspire to anything less is just far too timid a goal for the age we're in." Based on the resources the Gates Foundation has, she may be right.