Interested in a career in Biology, and with genes and stuff, but...?

Question

...I don't want to do cloning or genetic engineering. Something like a job that try's to find cures, or diseases. Anyone have any ideas what careers would have something to do with that? I am trying to think of a major or college and that is the kind of career I want to pursue

Answer 1

Medical researcher?

Answer 2

There are many hundred of potential careers in biology that are nothing to do with cures or diseases. The field of biology is huge and emcompasses such widely varied areas as biochemistry, biomedicine and bioengineering. I myself did my degree in Biochemistry and focussed on Alzheimer's disease research, and have since moved on to research on a single very specific enzyme which is broadly linked to Parkinson's disease - start looking in publications such as New Scientist which are aimed at the general public rather than specialists and see which of the news stories catch your eye - many of them also have job advertisements in the back so you can get a better idea of what is around. When you go to college, you will not have to choose a specialty until very late in the day. Start looking at Biology, Life Sciences and Natural Sciences courses.

Good luck!

Answer 3

Im not sure you understand what cloning or genetic engineering are. Both are common tools used to do biomedical research. Cloning for example usually refers to a technique which uses bacteria to amplify pieces of DNA so that you have enough to work with. It can also refer to the manipulation of DNA in an egg to produce an organism that is essentially a copy or clone...but this is a very small part of research. Likewise, genetic engineering is commonly used in laboratories to study genes which might make good therapeutic targets for drug development.

My advice is to try an undergraduate summer research program at a university that does scientific research. This will give you a chance to try working in a real lab...with real researchers....After all the best way to see if you like it....is to give it a try.

Answer 4

You should go into marketing.  Trust me on this...

Answer 5

I would say don't go into biology for a career until you understand what it is. You clearly don't. Not saying this to be mean, but cloning and genetic engineering in the sense you are speaking of has little to do with biology as a career. Maybe 10 or 20 biologists have a serious interest in this in a field of millions.  

Answer 6

genetic professor is cool.. and molecular bilogy is for making medicines...

Answer 7

If I read your question correctly you DON'T want to do cloning or genetic engineering. This leads me to believe you are not interested in molecular biology, but are still interested in medical research.

Firstly, there are many choices available that are not pure genetics, biochemistry or molecular biology. Examples include pharmacology, physiology, anatomy, cell biology, etc. If you are an undergrad go to the web pages for researchers in these fields at your university. Look to see what they are doing and if something catches your interest meet with the professor and ask about summer work, undergraduate/honours research projects, internships, or volunteer positions.

Secondly, most research today has some genetic component. In medical research it will be difficult to avoid molecular biology completely. Remember, molecular biology is not a field of research unto itself, but a collection of techniques and a method to approach research. Try to make peace with it because it's not going away.