  The basic idea that gravity can be a long-wavelength effect {\it induced} by
the peculiar ground state of an underlying quantum field theory leads to
consider the implications of spontaneous symmetry breaking through an
elementary scalar field. We point out that Bose-Einstein condensation implies
the existence of long-range order and of a gap-less mode of the (singlet)
Higgs-field. This gives rise to a $1/r$ potential and couples with
infinitesimal strength to the inertial mass of known particles. If this is
interpreted as the origin of Newtonian gravity one finds a natural solution of
the hierarchy problem. As in any theory incorporating the Equivalence
Principle, the classical tests in weak gravitational fields are fulfilled as in
general relativity. On the other hand, our picture suggests that Einstein
general relativity may represent the weak field approximation of a theory
generated from flat space with a sequence of conformal transformations. This
explains naturally the absence of a {\it large} cosmological constant from
symmetry breaking. Finally, one also predicts new phenomena that have no
counterpart in Einstein theory such as typical `fifth force' deviations below
the centimeter scale or further modifications at distances $10^{17}$ cm in
connection with the Pioneer anomaly and the mass discrepancy in galactic
systems.
