Generally speaking, Biotechnology refers to the application of science and technology using biological resources, in order to produce a product or simply enhance processes and improve life style.

Malaysia’s National Biotechnology Policy describes Biotechnology as an enabling tool for advances in agriculture, healthcare and industry providing for immense benefits to the nation, particularly in building skills, value-added employment and improving the quality of a wide range of products and services.

Consider the following scenario:

Malaysia today is the world’s largest oil palm (kelapa sawit) operator, and so it was for the past 1 or 2 decades. The main derivative of oil palm fruit, as we all know it, is the crude palm oil. The extracted palm oil is subsequently processed and the resulting products are channeled to the consumer market as cooking oil, soaps and as ingredient in many of the processed foods - those products we consume on our every day lives.

Few years ago, scientists discovered that, apart from extracting the palm oil, through the application of Biotechnology, the wastes from the palm oil plant operation can actually be recycled back and reproduced as renewable energy source known as biomass.

The biomass can be transformed into electricity, biodiesel to replace petrol based fuel, fertilizer and as substitute for petroleum in cosmetic and health products.

But that’s just one example and is not all about it. Biotechnology is such a wide area and in fact can be applied in most of the daily applications. And we haven’t even touch on the molecular and DNA level of biological products. Isn’t Biotechnology interesting?

The combination of the interesting discoveries and the country’s richness in biological resources, especially agriculture and livestock has encouraged Malaysia to place its emphasis in the development of Biotechnology industry.

As an example, in one of the most recent happenings, a Biotechnology research and development center was announced to be established in Perak soon. In the event, the Perak state government signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) in February 2008 to develop a center called Belum Valley Biodiversity and Biotechnology Center in Belum, Perak, which will encompass a 600ha research avenue for various range of distinguished species in the Belum rainforest. The completed center is expected to provide about 500 jobs there.

The inception of Malaysian Biotechnology Corporation (BiotechCorp) in May 2005, which is under the purview of Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation marked another country’s milestone in Biotechnology, whose functions, among others, are to identify value propositions in Research and Development (R&D) and commerce.

With many positive developments, more and more Malaysians are now making Biotechnology as their career choice. And this includes this year’s SPM best student, Azali Azlan from Kedah. If you still remember, Azali scored 21As (201As and one 2A) in the recently announced SPM result.

Azali,17, who wants to study Biotechnology either in the United States or Britain, said he wanted to thank his teachers from kindergarten to secondary school - The Star, 12 March 2008.

What Biotechnology has to offer for those aspiring to pick Biotechnology as their career? Is Biotechnology extremely good career prospect, especially for those wanting to practice in Malaysia? What are the challenges in the Biotechnology career and industry? Stay tuned.

Image: CNQ

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Other posts you may want to read:

1. Biotech Career: Salary Can Be a Problem
2. The National Biotechnology Policy
3. 21As for SPM 2007 Best Student
4. The Malaysian Biotechnology Corporation
5. Pharmaceutical Industry Looking Good