Molecular biology is sophisticated conceptually, but the routine tasks are repetitive, manual labor. The human genome project is developing many automated techniques for molecular biology, including those for mapping and sequencing. In addition, thanks to the project, critical new computation-al tools for biology are being invented and the most sophisticated approaches in mo- dern computer science are being applied to biology.
The technology imperatives of the HGP require interdisciplinary efforts, bringing together the techniques of chemistry, computer science, engineering, applied math, physics, and biology. The complex problems of modern biology demand these interdisciplinary collaborations, and the HGP has been catalytic in this regard. Moreover, the HGP is training a new type of interdisciplinary biologist who understands technology as well as biology. I believe these multidisciplinary biologists will be among the scientific leaders of the 21st century.
America currently is the world leader in biotechnology. This leadership is being threatened by...
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