TWC Session 7

This lesson was a continuation of last week’s focus. Apparently biobusiness covers a broad range of topics. This session centered on Biomedical BioBusiness, Agri-Veterinary and Food BioBusiness, and the Environmental and Industrial BioBusiness.

Brief summary:

"It is not inconceivable that we may one day develop efficient home bioreactors for converting household biological wastes into energy for powering our household appliances" Prof Shahi

Some everyday frontiers of biotechnology: Our food! Yes the ones we purchase from supermarkets! Like our milk, beer etc (what a weird combination). I used to hear how biotechnology was so pervasive in our modern lives but now , my understanding has reached a totally new level. There has been positives about GM food. (everyone loves seedless grapes). However, this has sparked some debate about GM food. Throughout the years, there are activist groups campaigning against GM food. There are fears about the development of deadly strains of virus in the future; threatening to be a medium for such new epidemics to spread. Such fears are understandable, thus, some countries require companies to label Genetically Modified food, so that consumers are fairly informed on their food choices.

Food security was also touched on. Having adequate food supply is something we have taken for granted. Moreover, given that Singapore is totally dependent on our neighbours, we need a backup plan. Could agribiology be a feasible solution?

‘When we are able to grow the resources we need, we will finally be on the road to sustainability’

So is Singapore on her way yet?

Interesting ideas and observations

One of the phrases mentioned by Prof, "It is not inconceivable that we may one day develop efficient home bioreactors for converting household biological wastes into energy for powering our household appliances" was one that I found very interesting. Biotech is used to improve recyclability of materials. No longer will we have to dump our wastes into the environment leading to environmental degradation if this turns out well. In my opinion, one aspect of waste we should look at is plastic. Our current means of disposing plastics is through landfill or incineration. In the long run, this will cause health problems and land scarity. Especially when the world’s population is expected to reach 9.5 billion by 2050.

Key Takeaways

1.     If you do not experiment, test or validate, we will never grow and learn. For instance, Monsato is a company who is responsible for the many innovations leading to increase in agricultural production in USA. Another brilliant example would be Apple. Innovations like these are exactly what humanity needs to progress.

2.     What is the future of biotech? Sometimes, we must dissociate ourselves from prejudices and biasness in order to uncover something truly groundbreaking. As the late Steve Jobs said: ‘Stay hungry, stay foolish’.