What's the point of success and wealth if you don't use that wealth to make a difference? There's certainly something to be said for the era in which governments didn't tax to the hilt and so more wealth could go to philanthropy rather than waste. Forbes reports that Michael Bloomberg has donated $100 million to research: "It is thought the donation will support research at the school's Institute for Cell Engineering, where scientists are doing work that could lead to the use of stem cells - undifferentiated cells which retain the ability to differentiate into other cell types - as treatments for conditions such as Parkinson's disease, diabetes and spinal cord injuries."
Link: http://www.forbes.com/2006/02/03/bloomberg-billionaires-philanthropy-cx_cn_0203autofacescan02.html