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Genetic engineering
74
BIOCHEMICALEDUCATION
October 1978 Vol. 6.
No. 4
happy with the idea that a member of staff of a general department of biochemistry should be designated to look after the dental students on a permanent basis There is a chance that such a person will become isolated from other biochemists and will not be fertihsed with ideas Obviously it should be someone's responsibility for a limited period but proper contacts must be maintained
It will be seen therefore that m my view we should welcome the exposure of a wide range of students to a course of biochemistry but It is as well both to be aware of the possible reasons for the popularity of our subject and to take our new responstbthhes as teachers seriously P N Campbell
I GENETIC ENGINEERING
P. N. CAMPBELL
I
I have recently attended two meetings, m Dresden and in London, at which a proper assessment was attempted of the dangers and benefits of Recombinant DNA research I was impressed not only by the rapid progress that is being made in the field but also by the efforts that are being made to apply the results of fundamental research to the solution of problems that are important in medicine and agriculture The above impressions contrasted strongly with those I obtained when last year I read a series of essays on the subject wlatten by some exceptionally bright medical students in the University of London In short they were against Genetic Engmeermg feeling that it was far too dangerous to mess about with nature Even at that tune I felt this a httle odd for budding medics I ask myself now to what extent these students are typical of many in the Universities and Medical Schools around the world Can tt be that our newlyqualified medics are going to spread the view that Genetic Engineering is bad This would be a sertnus matter for the opinion of medics is taken seriously not only by their patients but by society in general My plea therefore to all those who teach biochemistry and molecular biology m our Universities and Methcal Schools is to see that their students get a balanced view of the situation Not all
Annual Surveyof Employment 1977-8 A r e p o r t by P J H e a l d a n d F W H e m m i n g o n b e h a l f of the B l o c h e m m a l Society, 7 W a r v a c k C o u r t , L o n d o n W C 1 R 5 D P , E n g l a n d lap 7 This is a survey of the numbers of people entering different types of employment after having graduated with a first or higher degree in biochemistry in 1977 in the United Kingdom The data are based on the results of questxonnaires sent out to Umverslties and Polytechnics and probably account for over 95% of graduates The figures relate to 1145 graduates with a first degree in biochemistry, 24 MSc and MPhd graduates, 225 PhD's and 59 post-doctoral workers There are tables for each group shovang numbers (and percentages) who entered each of 17 categories of employment, with corresponding figures for each of the years 1971-77 It is mterestmg to note that the number of students graduating with a first degree in biochemistry rose every year from 1971 (769) to a peak of 1305 m 1976 but shows a fall of 160 to 1145 in the year 1977 The number of graduates going on to further biochemical training has shown the same pattern and the 1977 total of 325 was a drop of 83 on that for the previous year - - indeed, it was the lowest number of new research students since 1972 and expressed as a percentage of first degree graduates (28 4%) was the lowest yet recorded in the survey The Authors suggest that the fall may be a result of a shortage of funds for postgraduate work and are
University Departments will be fortunate enough to have available suitably quahhed teachers I suggest m such cases that an expert be invited either to give a few lectures or to participate in a discussion I am sure that such people would be delighted to help If asked for they really do appreciate the need for education in this held I beheve that Biochemwal Education can fulfill a real need in pubhshlng articles on the benehts and possible hazards of Recombinant DNA research Perhaps our readers would like to submit such articles for publication or maybe you have heard someone talk on the subject and could persuade them to write a short paper I am sure that it would be much appreciated I would like finally to draw attention to an organization called "Science for the People" centred on Cambridge, U S A This has as its objective "to make science truly serve the people" It publishes a bunonthly magazine "Science for the People" wfuch may be obtained from 897 Mare Street, Cambridge, MA 02139 at an annual subscnphon of US $6 for SLXissues The rain subscription to the Society is US $15 Recent Issues have dealt with such topics as "Recombinant DNA Does the fault lie with our genes", "Drug abuse and social control", "Who needs nuclear powerS", "Sociobiology A sexist s y n t h e m " , "Alternative technology, posslbtlmes and limitations" At least this would be good material with which to start a discussion
apprehensive that if the trend continues, it could have a serious effect upon the output of trained research personnel for other employment and on the research contributions of university laboratories The percentage of graduates entering industry and commercial and administrative work has shown a small but consistent rise (from 9 2% m 1971 to 15 9% in 1977) The percentage of first degree graduates "unplaced" at the time of the survey was 8 6% (the average over the seven years is 7%) For those just completing a PhD, the unemployment rate was 5% - - quite low but in 1971 it was negligible at 0 5%) This does not of course, take account of those who are m what they may term unsatisfactory jobs The authors point out that a preliminary examination of surveys over eight years cannot hope to provide a major dlsceruable trend m employment prospects but the report should have an important potential value m assisting departments when they review their actlvttms and advice to students, especially when used in conjunction with other reformation available We are indebted to the authors and to the Biochemical Society for permission to quote from their report Copies of the report are available on request from the Biochemical Society at the address above The Biochemical Society request that If the report is to be used m any publication, that they should have the opportunity of vetting the publication before it is printed In such cases, please write direct to Professor F W Hemming, Department of Biochemistry, University Hospital and Medical School, Clifton Boulevard, Nottingham NG7 2UH, England
Bzochemwal Education is published from the Editorial Office, Department of Biochemistry, 9 Hyde Terrace, Leeds LS2 9LS, England Annual subscription for Volume 7 (1979) $8 00 or £4 00 for the four issues including postage by surface mad (printed paper rate), $10,00 or $5 00 if sent by 2nd class arrmail Vol 1 (1973) and Vol 2 (1974) avadable at $6 00 or £3 00 each, and volumes 3 - 6 (1975-78) at $8 00 or £4 00 each, including surface postage Please make cheques, etc payable to Btochemwal Educanon © 1978 Published In January, Aprd, July and October
BIOCHEMICALEDUCATION
October 1978 Vol. 6.
No. 4
happy with the idea that a member of staff of a general department of biochemistry should be designated to look after the dental students on a permanent basis There is a chance that such a person will become isolated from other biochemists and will not be fertihsed with ideas Obviously it should be someone's responsibility for a limited period but proper contacts must be maintained
It will be seen therefore that m my view we should welcome the exposure of a wide range of students to a course of biochemistry but It is as well both to be aware of the possible reasons for the popularity of our subject and to take our new responstbthhes as teachers seriously P N Campbell
I GENETIC ENGINEERING
P. N. CAMPBELL
I
I have recently attended two meetings, m Dresden and in London, at which a proper assessment was attempted of the dangers and benefits of Recombinant DNA research I was impressed not only by the rapid progress that is being made in the field but also by the efforts that are being made to apply the results of fundamental research to the solution of problems that are important in medicine and agriculture The above impressions contrasted strongly with those I obtained when last year I read a series of essays on the subject wlatten by some exceptionally bright medical students in the University of London In short they were against Genetic Engmeermg feeling that it was far too dangerous to mess about with nature Even at that tune I felt this a httle odd for budding medics I ask myself now to what extent these students are typical of many in the Universities and Medical Schools around the world Can tt be that our newlyqualified medics are going to spread the view that Genetic Engineering is bad This would be a sertnus matter for the opinion of medics is taken seriously not only by their patients but by society in general My plea therefore to all those who teach biochemistry and molecular biology m our Universities and Methcal Schools is to see that their students get a balanced view of the situation Not all
Annual Surveyof Employment 1977-8 A r e p o r t by P J H e a l d a n d F W H e m m i n g o n b e h a l f of the B l o c h e m m a l Society, 7 W a r v a c k C o u r t , L o n d o n W C 1 R 5 D P , E n g l a n d lap 7 This is a survey of the numbers of people entering different types of employment after having graduated with a first or higher degree in biochemistry in 1977 in the United Kingdom The data are based on the results of questxonnaires sent out to Umverslties and Polytechnics and probably account for over 95% of graduates The figures relate to 1145 graduates with a first degree in biochemistry, 24 MSc and MPhd graduates, 225 PhD's and 59 post-doctoral workers There are tables for each group shovang numbers (and percentages) who entered each of 17 categories of employment, with corresponding figures for each of the years 1971-77 It is mterestmg to note that the number of students graduating with a first degree in biochemistry rose every year from 1971 (769) to a peak of 1305 m 1976 but shows a fall of 160 to 1145 in the year 1977 The number of graduates going on to further biochemical training has shown the same pattern and the 1977 total of 325 was a drop of 83 on that for the previous year - - indeed, it was the lowest number of new research students since 1972 and expressed as a percentage of first degree graduates (28 4%) was the lowest yet recorded in the survey The Authors suggest that the fall may be a result of a shortage of funds for postgraduate work and are
University Departments will be fortunate enough to have available suitably quahhed teachers I suggest m such cases that an expert be invited either to give a few lectures or to participate in a discussion I am sure that such people would be delighted to help If asked for they really do appreciate the need for education in this held I beheve that Biochemwal Education can fulfill a real need in pubhshlng articles on the benehts and possible hazards of Recombinant DNA research Perhaps our readers would like to submit such articles for publication or maybe you have heard someone talk on the subject and could persuade them to write a short paper I am sure that it would be much appreciated I would like finally to draw attention to an organization called "Science for the People" centred on Cambridge, U S A This has as its objective "to make science truly serve the people" It publishes a bunonthly magazine "Science for the People" wfuch may be obtained from 897 Mare Street, Cambridge, MA 02139 at an annual subscnphon of US $6 for SLXissues The rain subscription to the Society is US $15 Recent Issues have dealt with such topics as "Recombinant DNA Does the fault lie with our genes", "Drug abuse and social control", "Who needs nuclear powerS", "Sociobiology A sexist s y n t h e m " , "Alternative technology, posslbtlmes and limitations" At least this would be good material with which to start a discussion
apprehensive that if the trend continues, it could have a serious effect upon the output of trained research personnel for other employment and on the research contributions of university laboratories The percentage of graduates entering industry and commercial and administrative work has shown a small but consistent rise (from 9 2% m 1971 to 15 9% in 1977) The percentage of first degree graduates "unplaced" at the time of the survey was 8 6% (the average over the seven years is 7%) For those just completing a PhD, the unemployment rate was 5% - - quite low but in 1971 it was negligible at 0 5%) This does not of course, take account of those who are m what they may term unsatisfactory jobs The authors point out that a preliminary examination of surveys over eight years cannot hope to provide a major dlsceruable trend m employment prospects but the report should have an important potential value m assisting departments when they review their actlvttms and advice to students, especially when used in conjunction with other reformation available We are indebted to the authors and to the Biochemical Society for permission to quote from their report Copies of the report are available on request from the Biochemical Society at the address above The Biochemical Society request that If the report is to be used m any publication, that they should have the opportunity of vetting the publication before it is printed In such cases, please write direct to Professor F W Hemming, Department of Biochemistry, University Hospital and Medical School, Clifton Boulevard, Nottingham NG7 2UH, England
Bzochemwal Education is published from the Editorial Office, Department of Biochemistry, 9 Hyde Terrace, Leeds LS2 9LS, England Annual subscription for Volume 7 (1979) $8 00 or £4 00 for the four issues including postage by surface mad (printed paper rate), $10,00 or $5 00 if sent by 2nd class arrmail Vol 1 (1973) and Vol 2 (1974) avadable at $6 00 or £3 00 each, and volumes 3 - 6 (1975-78) at $8 00 or £4 00 each, including surface postage Please make cheques, etc payable to Btochemwal Educanon © 1978 Published In January, Aprd, July and October