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J. Craig Venter, Genome Pioneer (part one) (January 31, 2003, One)
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The ability to map DNA has enormous implications for a variety of research: engineering crops, curing disease, even creating life in a test tube. After being denied funding by the National Institutes of Health, Dr. J. Craig Venter founded his own company, Celera Genomics Corporation, in 1998 to sequence the human genome. He accomplished his mission in 2000 and was subsequently fired by the board of directors due to philosophical differences in 2002. Dr. Venter felt the company was turning away from genome research and focusing on pharmaceutical development to increase income. He wanted Celera to stick with genome sequencing, selling the data to subscribers to bring in funds.
After his dismissal, Dr. Venter established three foundations to pursue research in areas he feels are vital to Earth’s survival. One of these, the Institute for Biological Energy Alternatives, is devoted to harnessing hydrogen, an abundant by-product of oil exploration, as a source of energy to reduce the world’s dependence on fossil fuels. Another project undertaken by the Institute is examining the possibilities of creating “artificial” microbes that would capture carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, reducing the greenhouse effect.
J. Craig Venter, president of the Center for the Advancement of Genomics and the Institute for Biological Energy Alternatives of the J. Craig Venter Science Foundation in Rockville, Maryland
The Center for the Advancement of Genomics
Institute for Biological Energy Alternatives
The Institute for Genomic Research, August 15, 2002: “
NYTimes.com, August 15, 2002: “Genome Pioneer Will Start Center of His Own”
BBCNEWS.com, May 30, 2002: “Venter Tackles Global Warming”
NYTimes.com, April 30, 2002: “Thrown Aside, Genome Pioneer Plots a Rebound”
National Public Radio: All Things Considered, November 21, 2002: “Life in a Dish”
National Public Radio: All Things Considered, February 24, 2002: “Celera”
WashingtonPost.com, April 29, 2002: “A New Outlet for Venter’s Energy”
1. What are fossil fuels? What are the disadvantages of depending on them for energy?
2. What are some alternative energy sources? Which ones are renewable? Which ones are not?
3. How does a fuel cell work? Are there any cars that are using them now?
4. What can we do as individuals to save energy and reduce our dependence on fossil fuels?
5. What do you think artificial microbes are? How do you think they can be used to clean up the environment?
Power to the people.Energy Quest - Energy Education from the California Energy Commission is a colorful, entertaining site that explores energy use with science project suggestions, a library, games, links, a biography section, even an art gallery.
You auto know.GM Says Its Future is in Fuel Cells (MSNBC.com) and explains why. The text is somewhat technical for middle-schoolers, but it covers fuel cells very well. Videos, animations, and an interactive car enhance the experience.Kids can compare the workings of gasoline and fuel cell engines.
Oil, oil everywhere.At Discovery School, kids become archaeologists and dig up Joe’s Junkyard to reconstruct the oil-dependent society of the early 21st century. A lesson plan accompanies the activity.
Air today, gone tomorrow. Newspapers in Education: Pollute Locally, Spread Globallydiscusses how polluting the air in our own area affects the entire world. Students can compare miles per gallon for the latest cars and learn about the new hybrid automobiles.Have students search for energy-related articles in your local paper for in-class discussion.
It’s a small, small world. Genetically engineered bacteria are already being used to clean up oil spills. Dr. Venter is looking for microorganisms that live in the deepest parts of the ocean to see if they can be used to create carbon-capturing microbes. The Microbe Zoo's Water Worldlooks at these unusual life forms; Intimate Strangers: Unseen Life on Earthroams through the minuscule world of microbes detailing the parts they play in our lives.
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