Scientific research is not a high school problem where the clear algorithm is known. A lot of approaches need to tries before valid ones are found. And for cancer a single approach is most likely not enough.
The grandparent talks about going from 1,000 to to 10,000, not a single researcher. Are you implying the law of diminishing returns doesn't apply to research?
But how do the first researcher choose the approach "with the highest probability of working"? Since the research hasn't been conducted yet they can only use their own previous experience, also known as bias. Judging by the results the approaches to cure cancer that were pursued first haven't been very effective.
