How to Understand Different Biotechnology Jobs

When the term "biotechnology" comes up, many people cower in fear. Often they simply don't understand what it means. However, people have used technology to modify organic material (that is, biotechnology) for thousands of years. Every bottle of fermented beer or wine on the shelves is a product of biotechnology at work.

Instructions

1. Learn the few main categories of biotechnology applications in which people have jobs. Agriculture, industry, medicine and bioinformatics are the most common. Within those categories there are various specialties.

2. Realize that the agriculture category includes food modifications such as fermentation, and that this is the oldest branch of biotechnology. More recently, scientists have been able to genetically modify crops to avoid disease, increase yield, produce food more cheaply and achieve many other beneficial results.

3. Investigate industrial applications of biotechnology, which include using organic means for pest control, improving soil quality and cleaning up the environment (for example, oil spills). Scientists who take biological approaches to these and similar industrial applications work in the biotechnology field.

4. Look into the medical category of biotechnology. It is probably is the most widely known and presents the broadest spectrum of applications (and consequently, jobs). Pharmaceutical researchers develop vaccines for various diseases. Genetic researchers find cures and treatments for physical conditions and cancers. Biomedical engineers develop machines and engineering solutions that put these discoveries to work.

5. Understand that the bioinformatics category combines biology with computer science to improve scientists' ability to analyze biological data and find answers to problems. The Human Genome Project is an example of this type of work.