Introduction
Biology has endless possibilities for developing new technologies for genetic engineering and treating various diseases. Biotechnological innovations in medicine already bear the separate name of biomedicine. Thus, experiments are being conducted in editing human genes, which will help eradicate genetic diseases such as the aforementioned schizophrenia. This is why I am interested in being a biotechnologist because I want to develop new technologies that could benefit mankind.
Discussion
In addition, one of my biggest dreams is to engage in research that would help my grandmother, who has suffered from schizophrenia for 30 years. The more I researched it, the more I became interested in biotechnology and the possibilities for humans. Of course, my grandmother, who suffers from schizophrenia, a disease that is associated with genetic changes, also played a role in my interest. I believe that the development of biotechnology will help give my grandmother a chance for a healthy life.
When my AP biology teacher told us that we could research any scientific innovation as a year-end project, I chose genetically modified organisms. I researched everything from Cavendish bananas modified for resistance to Panama disease to AquAdvantage salmon and discussed with my teacher whether these genetically modified foods were healthy to eat. In addition to examining the health benefits of these foods, it was observed that thanks to biotechnology, it is possible to change their composition by adding necessary micronutrients. To back up my observation, the research by Eben Bayer (2022), co-founder and CEO of Ecovative, should be mentioned which stated that “a diverse range of new biologically-based products and applications marks a shift in global consumer culture to better fit the planet” (para.12). This technology could be a real breakthrough that I do not want to watch from the sidelines, but to take an active part in.
Last year I applied and was selected to participate in the Biogen – Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Biotech in Aaction program. I did virtual laboratory research related to Alzheimer’s disease with Biogen and MIT staff who specialized in biotechnology, invention, and innovation to teach us all about biotechnology, invention, and innovation. This experience expanded my knowledge and laboratory skills in STEM fields with a focus on Alzheimer’s disease. We met the challenge of determining which enzyme could affect the amyloid plaques that, according to one theory, cause Alzheimer’s disease. It was inspiring to me that a previously incurable disease now has every possibility of ceasing to be one. The very challenge of finding a cure encouraged me to work harder and longer.
Thanks to this experience, I realized that I wanted to tie my life to medicine, specifically the field of biotechnology. During my work with scientists, I realized that even monotonous work can be interesting if you pursue an important goal. In my plans, I want to go to medical school, and after graduation I want to go into biotechnology, to be involved in biomedicine. I believe that if you give publicity to this science in the mass media if you offer more and more people in educational institutions such circles, our world will undergo great changes.
Conclusion
I believe there are still many new and exciting discoveries that can bring enormous benefits to people like my grandmother, and I want to be a part of these discoveries. This major involves constantly confronting new technologies and ideas, and I am prepared to spend a great deal of time in the lab performing research and experiments. However, at the same time, I do not want my research to be only theoretical but to have practical applications that can benefit all people.
Reference
Bayer, E. (2022). Get ready for an explosion of productivity in biotechnology. Forbes. Web.