One of the highest-profile efforts in biotechnology, for example, is in the field of genomics. Most people have probably heard that scientists across the country are trying to sequence the entire human genome. This massive undertaking would give us a complete catalog of every gene that occurs in humans. Such an achievement would be akin to revealing the blueprints for human life. As just one possibility, scientists could identify which genes are responsible for causing cells to become cancerous, which would make it easier to diagnose diseases and to design drugs to stop them.
Genomics is just one of the promising fields emerging on the rapidly changing terrain.
Change everywhere in the biosciences is almost constant, as new technologies are being developed every day to facilitate the laborious work of sifting through billions of pieces of genetic information. But tomorrow promises even yet more than today. The governor said the money will be included in his 2001-03 capital budget, which covers building projects.