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The large, multidisciplinary Human Genome Project (HGP)–the completed effort of finding all human genes and characterizing a reference genome–has promised to revolutionize the future so profoundly that the 21st has been dubbed the "biology century." Almost everyone will be affected by applications of information and technologies derived from the HGP era of the late 20^th century. Entirely new approaches will be implemented in biological research and the practice of medicine and agriculture. Genetic data will provide the foundation for research in many biological subdisciplines, leading to an unprecedented understanding of the inner workings of whole biological systems. The benefits of genomic research are, or soon will be, realized in such areas as forensics and identification science, ecology and environmental science, toxic-waste cleanup, creation of new bioenergy sources and more efficient industrial processes, as well as in understanding the mysteries of evolution, anthropology, and human migration.

Among the fields that HGP research will impact are engineering, computer science, mathematics, counseling, sociology, ethics, religion, law, agriculture, education, pharmaceuticals, instrumentation, nuclear medicine, forensics, bioremediation, biofuels, and journalism. Cross-disciplinary students with solid backgrounds in science and in one or more other fields such as journalism, law, and computer science will be needed to tackle the issues and applications arising from the HGP.

Commercialization of numerous applications in genomic science is fueling the burgeoning life sciences economic sector. Legislation and litigation increasingly will be concerned with genetics and the intellectual-property issues pertaining to genetic information and technologies. Educators, the media, students, and the public need a good understanding of this "new genetics" and its implications so that they can better communicate, teach, and help others make related career and personal decisions. Democratizing access to genetic science information should help maximize HGP benefits while protecting against misuse of the data. Every effort must be made to ensure that everyone–regardless of race, citizenship, or national origin–enjoys the benefits of genomics research and its subsequent applications, including life improvements and excellent career possibilities. Society simultaneously must be protected from such possible negative impacts as the failure to preserve the privacy of individual genetic information.

Today, people in fields such as business, which traditionally did not require life sciences training, increasingly are finding that, at the very least, they need a working knowledge of the principles of biology and life science research and development. Presented below are some traditional and new bioscience career possibilities, followed by some educational strategies for pursuing such careers.

Possible Career Areas in Bioscience

Note: The biotechnology industry has more than tripled in size between 1992 and 2001, with revenue increasing from $8 billion to $27.6 billion. In 2001, there were 191,000 U.S. employees, and more opportunities are expected in healthcare, food production, and environmental cleanup (www.bio.org). In regard to the burgeoning drug industry based on genomics, the Consulting Resources Corporation’s newsletter for biotechnology professionals said, "We expect the growing family of new genomics, proteomics, and bioinformatics technologies to dominate . . . developments in therapeutics by greatly improving the efficiency and speed of the entire drug discovery, testing, and approval process."

• Medical genetics, genetic counseling, genetic nursing
• Gene testing, gene therapy
• Organ transplantation, fertility, and reproduction
• Public health
• Pharmaceutical industry and suppliers
• Pharmacogenomics
• Chemical, vaccine, medicine development and production
• Database development, operation, use
• Communication, work with regulatory agencies

Agriculture and Wildlife

• Genetic modification of foods and seeds
• Biopesticide and neutriceutical development
• Wildlife management: Identification, protection of endangered species
• Authentication of consumables such as wine, caviar.

Computational Biology (including Bioinformatics)

• Database creation, data analysis, modeling, data transfer
• Supercomputing
• Mathematics, statistics, actuarial field

Engineering Disciplines

• Bioprocessing chamber, vat design and production
• Toxic-waste cleanup
• Instrumentation development
• Creation of new energy sources via engineering, life science research
• Biomedical engineering.

Business

• Biosciences industry investing
• Marketing and sales
• Banking

Law and Justice

• Education
• Patent specialties
• Specialties in ethical, legal, and social issues
• Gene and paternity testing
• DNA forensics--in the laboratory, in the field, in the courtroom

History and Anthropology

• Use of genetics to study population, migration patterns
• Study of inheritance over evolutionary time

Military

• Soldier identification
• Pathogen identification
• Biological and chemical warfare protection
• Radiation-exposure assessment

Space Exploration

• Research into space effects
• Search for other life forms, evidence of life

Bench Science

• Sequencing of many organisms, including human
• Data analysis, computation
• Functional genomics
• Proteomics
• Human variation in health and disease
• Microbial genetics
• Environmental studies
• Education

Bioscience Communication

• Reporting, writing, editing
• Website development, maintenance
• Public relations
• Marketing
• Special events

Preparing for a Career in the Biosciences

• Gain experience in the biosciences industry through internships, volunteer work, work-study, and co-op programs.
• Pursue a cross-disciplinary education. Biology problems are too big to be solved by people trained in only one discipline. People need science and technology basics, training in computer use and information technology, and education in bioethics to anticipate and present options for solving prickly social issues. Community and four-year college training is offered in biology and related disciplines, including integrated science and technology programs that incorporate computer science, information technology chemistry, biology, engineering principles, and bioethics.
• Surf the Internet and use library resources to read newspapers, technical magazines, and trade journals.
• Contact your state’s biotechnology industry organization or find its careers section on the Web.
• Talk to professionals from a wide array of disciplines. Don’t be shy; showing your interest will open doors.

• DOE Office of Science Internship Programs
• NIH Training and Internship Opportunities
• ORISE Programs
• DOE National Laboratory Education Departments--many have internship programs

More Information on the Web

• Guide to North American Graduate and Post-Graduate Training Programs in Human Genetics
• Careers in the Genetics Field from the Genetics Societies of America
• Genetics Careers from Genetic Professionals
• Careers in Biotechnology from the Access Excellence homepage
• Functional Genomics Careers from The Scientist
• Science Careers from Science
• Nature Jobs
• Careers in Genetic Counseling from National Society of Genetic Counselors
• Careers in Microbiology from MicrobeWorld
• A World of Genetics Societies
• NIH Office of Science Education

Career Guidance Publications

• Careers in Science and Engineering: A Student Planning Guide to Grad School and Beyond (1996), National Academy Press.
• Robert L. Peters, Getting What You Came for...the Smart Student's Guide to Earning a Masters or Ph.D. (1997), Farrar, Straus, and Giroux.
• Kathy Barker, At the Helm: A Laboratory Navigator (2002), Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press.
• Kathy Barker, At the Bench: A Laboratory Navigator (1998), Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press.
• Blythe Camenson, Opportunities in Forensic Science Careers (2001), McGraw Hill.
• Richard M. Reis, Tomorrow’s Professor: Preparing for Careers in Science and Engineering (1997), Wiley-IEEE Press.
• Peter J. Feibelman, A Ph.D is Not Enough (1994), Perseus Publishing.
• There are many career guides designed to cover all fields available in most bookstores; one is What Color is Your Parachute? by Robert N. Bolles, updated yearly.

• 2002 Research Abstracts. A listing of DOE-funded projects. Browse through these for a sampling of hot topics in genetic research.
• Genetics Research Sites. A listing of U.S. and international  research sites (including universities) conducting DOE research.

HGMIS would appreciate suggestions for more materials for this area.

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