Why do they think you should choose a career in biotechnology?

They think you should choose a career in biotechnology because you can help save lives, cure
diseases, feed the hungry, help create a substitute for oil energy use, and be a pioneer in green
technology (Hunt and Solberg, 6).
Read their idea of what Biotechnology is and summarize What is Biotechnology? Note that the
timeline will be useful in the last question of this worksheet.
Biotechnology is the science of DNA and how it can be utilized to improve our world.
What does a person need to do in order to prepare for a Biotechnology career?
In order to prepare for a Biotechnology career, a person needs to develop science laboratory
skills, the ability to work as a team member, and have a basic knowledge of business (i.e. what is
involved in marketing products).
Briefly list how is biotechnology used (major categories)?
Biotechnology is used for human health, agriculture, environmental protection, forensics,
research, industrial products, instrumentation and supplies, plus bio-fuels.
For two of those main categories, explain more in detail what they involve and the areas of
research and impacts on society.
One of the major areas of biotechnology is human health. Major advancements have been made
in this area of research. For instance, vaccines have been developed to protect against disease,
such as meningitis. AIDS or asthma can be treated with drugs used to specifically target those
diseases.
Another leading area of biotechnology is forensics. Those who have a career in this specific area
use DNA to solve identity issues and assist in criminal investigation. Thanks to DNA
fingerprinting, someone can identify their parentage and the people who truly have committed
crimes have been arrested (no more innocent people in jail).
List and describe careers in the following:
a. Research and Development
animal caretakers/technician
bioinformatics specialist

clinical research associate

forensic DNA analyst
greenhouse/field technicians/workers
calibration technician
laboratory assistant
laboratory automation specialist
laboratory support worker
laboratory technician
research associate
scientist

In this field of biotechnology, new products are being made to help keep the industry in general
running (it is funded by the profits new products make over a certain period of time).
b. Manufacturing and Services

forensic DNA analyst

greenhouse/field technicians/workers
calibration technician
laboratory automation specialist
manufacturing assistant
manufacturing technician
material handler
scientist

This field of biotechnology deals with approving a product before it is shipped the market.
Legally mandated standards must be obeyed before products can be shipped to the market. These
standards ensure that products that biotech companies make are safe for consumers.
c. Quality and Regulatory Affairs
Documentation coordinator
Health + safety specialist
Quality assurance specialist
These careers involve monitoring the manufacturing process to ensure that the entire process
runs smoothly.
d. Sales and Technical Support
Sales representative
Technical service representative
These jobs deal with troubleshooting should consumers find a problem with the product that they
have purchased.
e. Administration and Management

Accountants
Government relations representative
Human resource specialists
Facilities specialist
Information technology specialist

Careers such as these require a background both in business and in science.

What other careers are related and must have knowledge of the field of biotechnology? Why?
The other careers that are related and must have knowledge of the field of biotechnology are
microbiology and environmental scientists.
List the top three biotechnology companies.
The top three biotechnology companies are
Amgen, CA
Biogen Idec, Cambridge, MA
Celgene, Summit, NJ
Which state has the most biotech companies, and what makes that state unique?
The state that has the most biotech companies is California, which means that it has the largest
number of both biotechnology companies and employees in the United States (Hunt and
Solberg, 20).
What is the outlook for the future in Biotechnology?
The Biotechnology industry is growing steadily, yet the area that will experience the most
growth is bio-pharmaceuticals.
What kind of job skills do you need to pursue a career in biotechnology?
The kind of job skills that you need to pursue a career in biotechnology are basic, personal, and
technical skills.
Are there any biotechnology programs in Colorado? If so, what schools offer a degree?
There are biotechnology programs in Colorado. The schools that offer a degree in Biotechnology
are the Community College of Aurora, Northeastern Junior College, and Red Rocks Community
College.
Check out one of the many listed pages on a specific career that interests you. What are your
impressions?

I am extremely interested in becoming a forensic DNA analyst. Through this career, I believe
that I can make the world a better place by ensuring that the right people are tried for the specific
crimes they commit and those that gather evidence dont present invalid evidence to the table
(DNA is a persons history forever and that is evidence because there can be no question about
it).
Do a search and create a brief timeline of the History of Biotechnology. Make sure to cite
your sources! You may use a resource such as the 7 that can be found in this article:
http://www.appappeal.com/apps/timeline or you may create a paper timeline to be hung
up on the wall. You may also work in a group of two if you wish!
Link to my timeline:
http://www.timetoast.com/timelines/history-of-biotechnology-da693a1a-4aa4-4f2e-ae52e92e05a7bf1f
Works Cited
Barboza, David. "Monsanto and Pharmacia to Join, Creating a Pharmaceutical Giant."
The New York Times. The New York Times, 19 Dec. 1999. Web. 25 Aug. 2015.
"Challenging Monsanto: Over Two Million March the Streets of 436 Cities, 52 Countries." RT
English. Autonomous Nonprofit Organization TV-Novosti, 20052015., 24 May 2013. Web.
25 Aug. 2015.
Engelking, Carl. "USDA Approves Genetically Modified Non-Browning Apples." Dbrief.
Kalmbach Publishing Co., 18 Feb. 2015. Web. 29 Aug. 2015.
Feder, Barnaby J. "BIOTECHNOLOGY PASSING MAJOR MILESTONES." The New York
Times. The New York Times, 09 Jan. 1982. Web. 28 Aug. 2015.
"Gregor Mendel." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 30 Aug. 2015. Web. 29 Aug. 2015.
"Needle-free Ebola Vaccine Shows Promise : DNews." DNews. Copyright 2015 Discovery
Communications, LLC., 14 July 2015. Web. 30 Aug. 2015.
"'Nobel of Agriculture' Goes to Monsanto Executive." RT English. Autonomous Nonprofit
Organization TV-Novosti, 20052015., 20 June 2013. Web. 24 Aug. 2015.

"Single Gene Alteration Boosts Intelligence in Mice and Reduces Anxiety." Interview. Web log
post. Www.futuretimeline.net. Will Fox 2015, 17 Aug. 2015. Web. 25 Aug. 2015.