Biotechnology: Friend or Foe?
Stand firm in biotech career choice. Consider biotech career path.
by Mindy Ward, Penton Agriculture
In
the back pages of a high school yearbook is a quote from my daughter. "I
want to major in plant biology and become a researcher for Monsanto."
Agriculture
biotechnology companies like Monsanto have been under fire for many years. While
biotechnology continues to evolve in agriculture leading to less inputs and
higher yields for farmers, not everyone is a fan of that technology.
So
I wondered, should I continue to encourage my daughter to work for these types
of companies?
My
youngest daughter dreamed of being a plant breeder since she was in the sixth
grade. But her zeal kicked in during high school when her agriculture education
class visited Monsanto's Chesterfield Village Research Center, located in Missouri.
Over
the next four years, she took classes designed to improve her knowledge of
plant biology and today she is a sophomore majoring in plant
sciences with an emphasis in plant biotechnology at Oklahoma State University.
It has not been an easy career choice. She has seen the ugly
side of her degree field.
Take
for instance the Chamber of Commerce board member who after hearing my daughter
wanted to be a plant breeder, proceeded to lecture her on how the occupation was
not a good one. He told her that she should have her "head on
straight" before diving into that field. He warned of changing things from
the way nature intended them. She just smiled. She was not upset. She was
resolute.
"They
just don't understand," she said. Her desire is to solve food insecurity.
My daughter sees beyond her small town, state or even nation; she sees the
world.
The
fact remains--biotechnology will be a part of achieving a greater volume of
nutritious food to feed a growing world population. There needs to be plant
researchers and there needs to be companies like Monsanto.
Young
people in agriculture, never let the negative words of others be it individuals
in society, professors in college, or activist groups influence your career
choice. Above all else, set your mind to use your talents to help feed, fuel
and clothe the world. Resolve to make the world better for the next generation.
Mindy Ward is a Content Director for Penton Agriculture. She
blogs about issues relating to farmers, consumers, youth and more at her blog Show-Me Life.
