Blending Technology an dlIfe Sciences

Sam Shirazi, BioHealth College's Presidentt

The fastest growing industry in the nation today is a division of the Healthcare Industry called Biotechnology.

Recently, in our state of California , we passed a bill allocating government funds to be dedicated to Stem Cell research, which includes the technological applications of life and living organisms, examining the chemical nature of life, the molecular basis of heredity, and DNA technology.

The passing of this bill is only one indication of the necessity and demand for Biotechnology research.

Biotechnology, simply put, is the perfect blend of today's technology combined with the life science of biology. Some industries that greatly benefit from Biotechnology include: Agriculture – Biotechnology assists scientists in creating better quality fruits and vegetables; Forensic Science – by using DNA Fingerprinting to help solve crimes, and in some cases crimes that have gone unsolved for years. Pharmaceutical companies use Biotechnology to develop and test new medications on a molecular basis (cellular level). These are only a few examples of the growing importance of Biotechnology in today's marketplace.

According to an economic development report released on Thursday, February 15, 2005, Bay Area companies indicated they have no difficulty in recruiting top researchers from all over the United States or abroad, but a shortage of skilled technicians and lab associates threatens the growth of the Biotech industry. In the past, people were under the impression that you needed to have a college degree to even be considered for employment in this field. However, due to increasing technology and industry demands, individuals with a high school diploma or GED can enter into a specialized, hands-on training program and can expect to earn approximately 35K annually for entry level positions.

Research also shows that 31% of venture capitalists are investing in Biotech companies, compared to only 4% investing in high tech companies. In addition, the Federal Government is allocating 4 billion dollars to Biodefense.

In conclusion, taking into account this amazing technology and rising company demands, the Biotech industry is predicted to continue growing for many years to come.