Zuckerberg and Chan want to see an end to disease by 2100 and a move away from curing disease and more towards preventing it.
The donation by the high-profile couple comes amidst a flood of technology businesses turning their attention towards the health sector. Examples include: Microsoft's latest announcement that it is looking at cancer treatment using artificial intelligence; and GSK teaming up with Google in a new joint venture regarding the development of tiny implantable devices to be used for the treatment of human illness.
Although the donation has been seen as many as a positive move for the health industry, there has been criticism that US$3bn is a drop in the ocean compared to the amount actually needed to combat human disease and that whilst the intentions are good, the end result may be much more expensive and take longer than envisaged.