Biotechnology and Medicine?

[medicalfielder]

Okay, so I am an undergraduate student, considering a major in Biology with a specialization in Biotechnology. My question is:

Does Biotech align well with biomedical research?

My main goal is becoming a physician, but I would like to get involved with research and new medical technologies.

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[Ironmandoc]

Honestly, your major has little to no effect on where you go with medicine. Major in what you enjoy doing.

P.S. philosophy/biology double major here 🙂

 

[mapandterritory]

P.S. philosophy/biology double major here 🙂

I'm even fonder of the physical sciences, but I think that's absolutely wonderful. It wouldn't be practical for everyone to major in philosophy (a little self-teaching wouldn't hurt), but it helps to fuel one's scientific curiosity and refine their thinking. Logic is also important in AI, etc.

@thread: If you take the initiative you should be able to find research, regardless of your major.

 

[HoltMD]

Okay, so I am an undergraduate student, considering a major in Biology with a specialization in Biotechnology. My question is:

Does Biotech align well with biomedical research?

My main goal is becoming a physician, but I would like to get involved with research and new medical technologies.

Biotechnology is the future of medicine. You will be fine if biotech is an area you are passionate about. Here's some information from Roche:

http://www.roche.com/research_and_development/innovation_and_technologies/biotechnology.htm

 

[HoltMD]

Biotechnology more likely will align with a career in engineering or bioinformatics, but there are plenty of physicians doing research in these areas as well. A specialization in biotechnology won't prepare you for the kinds of "traditional" medical research you likely imagine (vaccine development, clinical trials, etc.), but don't worry - there's plenty of time for that in medical school.

Why do people like you insist on posting nonsense? It is obvious that you have very limited knowledge in biotechnology. Vaccine development is biotechnology. Biotechnology is a very wide field. It includes development of therapeutics, diagnostic tests, vaccines, microarrays, genomics, etc., etc.

 

[Captain Fantastic]

The alignment is natural, IMO.

Some places have fellowships to foster physicians with this interest. I haven't done one, but they look very interesting: http://medicine.missouri.edu/biodesign/

 

[HoltMD]

Yes, biotechnology will prepare you for medical research, but no, it will not prepare you better than any other traditional pre-medical course of study.

Whatever dude! You learn more hands-on laboratory techniques as a biotech major than a traditional premed. The only job you will get with premed courses under your belt is washing glassware at a lab.