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Laboratory Technicians and Technologists

History

Biotechnology can be defined as the use of live organisms (plant and animal cells) to manufacture new products and technologies that help us live healthier and more productive lives. The field of biotechnology is considered to have emerged in 1972, when scientists created a modified DNA molecule by recombining DNA from two different organisms. This scientific breakthrough opened countless opportunities for biotechnology to be applied in a variety of fields—from drug development and agricultural science, to manufacturing and biofuels, to forensic science and environmental science. Laboratory technicians and technologists were needed to assist scientists, physicians, and engineers in their research. Today, they play a key role in any industry where biotechnology is used.

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