Biotech, geology high on deans' list

More emphasis on biotechnology and geology, more vigorous recruitment of science students — these are among the top items that deans of science at Utah's four public universities are wishing for.

Thinking about the upcoming Legislature and possible ideas for science funding, the Deseret Morning News called deans of science at the University of Utah (two deans), Utah State University, Weber State University and Southern Utah University. Deans were asked what fields they would like to emphasize more strongly and whether some areas at their schools get too much attention.

Not surprisingly, none volunteered areas that had too much funding. But the survey found surprising agreement in some of the comments, particularly in the field of biotechnology.

First, a word of definition. According to the National Science and Technology Council in a report issued in July 1995, biotechnology is "a powerful set of tools" using living organisms or parts of organisms to make or modify products, improve plants or animals, or develop microorganisms for specific uses. An ancient example of this would be cultivation of yeast.

More recent examples of biotechnology are new methods to cure genetic diseases, tomatoes with extended shelf life and better treatments to dissolve blood clots during a heart attack. Possible future applications cited by the council include disease-resistant plants, natural pesticides and plastics that degrade more readily when they are discarded. Many more areas are open to biotechnological study.