Why is Microbiology going to be one of the most important fields of study in the future? Why do I think ALL bio majors should take micro? Read this article from the Wall Street Journal to find out. What do you think? How does micro apply to every aspect of our lives? How is it changing the medical field?
As an aside, how much more of this article do you think you understand now that you are taking micro compared to before? Do you see the value of this course in your life and career?
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390443684104578062734031207640.html
While it's fascinating that bacteria can be manipulated to our advantage, it does worry me what the implications of that manipulation may be down the road. Since bacteria so easily, and quickly, adapt to their environment (resistant to what threatens them and susceptible to that which benefits) we may be creating "super bugs" as is becoming the case with antibiotic resistance.
ReplyDeleteI am amazed by current synthetic biology and its future developments to come. It especially amazes me the thought of creating microbial biology for expanding life span or treatments to viruses. Although synthetic biology has been used for important developments, I wonder if it has been developed both safely and responsibly. Micro applies to every aspect of our lives; in which that synthetic biology can transform everything in our lives. Genetically reprogramming bacteria could revolutionize human life. The power of this reprogramming cannot be yet measured, and only with time may we see the advantages and disadvantages this has to human life. The changing microbial world could affect the medical field by either improving treatments for new arising diseases, or terminating chronic diseases with bacteria that has been transformed to cure. Reading this article now half into the semester is definitely interesting, due to the fact that I am aware of synthetic biology, bacteria, and the genetic transformations that apply. The knowledge from Microbiology course has great value to my life and emerging career now. The more I learned about the body the more I am amazed, but yet to learn of bacteria and the fact that it is something smaller in size yet larger than life is fascinating.
ReplyDeleteMy semester in Microbiology was very educational and I will walk away with a new way of looking at the world. Upon completion of this class I qualify for entry into the nursing program at COC and Moorpark College. I plan to apply for my AA in Biological Sciences and complete 200+ hours volunteering at St. Jude’s Regional Medical Center in Oxnard. The volunteer program has an accelerated option to complete 25hrs/week-rotating departments once a month and provides an extremely unique learning opportunity. The program is COPE, is classified as a clinical care extender internship, and the application process starts this month. The extender internship offers: experimental on site education, mentoring with health care professionals, guest speakers, training for each department transfer, networking events, test-prep service discounts, and more. I can’t wait until I start that! Getting in on the hospital action is the reason that I chose this field to get my gloves dirty. I can’t wait until I begin my on the job training that will keep my feet moving!
ReplyDeleteChristina Pulley
Crazy. Microbiology and the field of biology as a whole is simply, incredible. As I was reading the article here, I came across the subject where it stated, that they can even bring back the mammoth, even though it's extinct, just from future biology advancements is mind blowing. Think about it, bringing back an extinct species(mind blown). Also, I read that we can possibly extend the lives of humans. This is great and all, but if we do, and the average life-span is around 105 years of age, what can we possibly do this old? Now, getting away from all the cool stuff, microbiology is the field of the future because we can possibly learn to better our medicine and lead to better lives, I guess that's cool also. "Yeah science!" (for all you Breaking Bad fans reading this).
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