Question

Advances in science do not always lead to advances in technology. Why are such scientific advances still valuable?

Answer 1

The scientific advances can help people in many ways not only in the technology. Like the scientists find that something will do harm to people, then people will not eat or use this.

Answer 2

Scientific advances are made to gain knowledge regardless if said advances can lead to advances in technology.

The pursuit of scientific knowledge is not limited to the benefit of gaining information for technological purposes, it is made to gather facts and test theories which may help the human race understand and  live better lives.

For example, scientific advances are made when the study of Mayan hieroglyphics resulted to the discovery of its correct interpretation which tells a story of how lives were lived in the ancient times. This discovery, though not relevant to any technological advances, is highly valuable to the Mayan people because they now know a part of their history.