Biotech venture capital funds are looking for lucrative new business ventures and deals to invest in. After a slump in the last year, the Venture capitalists are back with a bang and they are investing in the biotechnical field like never before.
Why Biotech?
Biotechnology
Did you know that:
Understanding Biotech Venture Capital Funds
• Biotech was in fact, second in venture capital funding levels? Six hundred and thirty nine million dollars were invested in only sixty six companies. That works out to roughly 9 million per company!
• Biotech is the hot new field for investment because people are desperate for cures for cancer, because there is a very real fear that the new age weapons of war will be infectious diseases and because of an aging baby boomer population.
• The total value of life science companies has steadily been on the rise in the last few years and it is thus the hottest field for investment at the moment.
• There is a renewed interest in the field of developing vaccines to prevent killer diseases.
Thus biotechnology is definitely a field you would want to invest in, if you are a part of biotech venture capital funds simple because it is a field which shows a great deal of promise and potential.
If you are an entrepreneur, seeking funding, the basic thing to remember is corporate venture capital firms look to invest in companies wherein it can find commonalities between itself - the greater the number of common factors, the greater the chances of securing an investment. A very basic example is as follows.
Motivations
Very large corporations, dealing with say, pharmaceuticals will invest in a small company that it believes, will be able to produce a key compound that the large company plans to use in its own products. This is a very solid reason for investing. They won't invest in a company which produces products which are of no value to them.
Another main reason for investment in a company is if the company is capable of realizing a high profit margin. This is after all, the main reason why a biotech venture capital fund will invest in your company. If you are able to guarantee good returns, they will guarantee you all the funding that you need to carry out clinical trials and experiments. If you have a promising product and are able to convince the investors of its potential, then you have a winner in your hands.
There are several reasons why a corporate healthcare company has invests in a smaller company, but the main reasons are strategic or financial. Large corporations like to diversify and produce new products. They hope that the products produced by the companies that they take under their wing will complement the product line of the parent company.
Another reason why investments are frequent in this sector is that companies hope that fledgling companies can offer services (like research) that will help them make more profitable business decisions in the future. So if you have a good product, then biotech venture capital funds will always be there to help you with it.
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A Biotech engineer is a person who works on various techniques such as: DNA - Extraction, and chromatography. To be a successful Biotech engineer you should also have some knowledge regarding microbiological experiments. Writing an effective resume is also very important for you. A good resume could get you the job.
So, now let us talk about some of the things that you must consider while writing a resume. First of all, make sure that you include all the important details in your resume. You should not miss anything. Now, given below are a few things that are indispensable to include in your resume:
Biotechnology
1. Personal Contact information It is very important to include all your personal details and contact information in the resume. State all your telephone numbers and email ids through which the employers could get in touch with you.
Best Resume For Biotech Engineer
2. Resume objective The most important part of your resume is a resume objective. It is a short statement that informs the employer regarding your career goals. It should leave a lasting impression on the employer. Now, let us have a look at one of the best sample resume objectives for Biotech engineer job: looking for a purpose oriented position in biotechnology field with a decent organization where I could expand my skills.
3. Education The employers are very much interested to know what your educational qualifications are. You could mention any special degree that you possess. You could say that you have done Bachelor of Science from a reputed organization.
4. Your Qualifications Summary Including your qualifications summary is also of great importance. You could say that you are well acquainted with a number of subjects such as: organic chemistry, immunology and cell biology. Also tell them any additional skills that you possess.
5. Work achievements You could also highlight some of your achievements. Tell them about a particular award that you won for your work in this field.
These are some of the important things regarding Biotech engineer resume. Read this article at least once. It could really help you a lot. Have fun and enjoy yourself!
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Biotechnology experts claim that in the course of an office-based worker's career, he or she would be spending 80,000 hours sitting on a chair, usually in front of a computer. Not a lot of people know that sitting for prolonged periods causes more injuries to the body than standing. To prevent such injuries, many offices now furnish their premises with ergonomic chairs for the use of their employees.
It is important to use ergonomic chairs in the workplace. As stated above, sitting for long hours can harm the body more than standing does. It is because while standing, the pressure of supporting the body is evenly distributed along the spine. The circulation of blood in the body is unhindered, and the spine freely receives the nutrients that it needs to remain fluid and flexible.
Biotechnology
Sitting, however, makes the pressure of supporting the body uneven along the spine. The brunt of the pressure is received by the lumbar portion of the spine, which is the lower back. Blood circulation is blocked, and so the lower portion of the spine does not receive enough nutrients, causing it to harden. Preventing the lumbar portion of the spine from hardening is one of the health problems that ergonomic chairs aim to address.
Minimizing Injuries with Ergonomic Chairs
However, buying even the best-designed and the most expensive of ergonomic chairs would be useless if the people using them do not sit on them correctly. Aside from using ergonomic chairs, a few minor adjustments to a person's sitting habits will greatly reduce the cumulative damages that prolonged sitting can do to the spine.
For example, in the case of lower back pain, it can either mean that the lumbar portion of the spine is not being supported, or there is too much pressure on the vertebrae. It could also be that the muscles of the thigh are pulling at the spine because the legs are dangling and the feet are not flat on the floor. To address this problem, the backrest of the ergonomic chairs being used should be tilted forward slightly so it curves against the lumbar area of the spine. Another adjustment that should be made on the ergonomic chairs being used is to adjust the height of the chair itself so the legs are not dangling.
In the case of neck strain, tensed shoulders and pain in the upper back, it means the head is tilted too far forward or too far back. The arms also are not being supported. The adjustments that need to be made on the ergonomic chairs being used are, first, tilting the seat and the backrest either forward or backward so that the back, neck and the head are in a completely vertical position. As for the arms, the armrests of the ergonomic chairs being used should be raised or lowered so the arms are resting upon them comfortably.
If pain is experienced on the buttocks, then it means that there is too much pressure on the person's rear. The ergonomic chairs being used should then be tilted so that the people using them are sitting deeper into the chair. The back of the thighs should also be in the seat pan.
Even the best and the most expensive ergonomic chairs cannot help reduce the damage sustained to the body if they are not being used correctly. Only a few minor adjustments to these chairs and to the person's sitting habits are necessary, but the effects shall be great in the long run.
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It is important to use ergonomic chairs [http://www.busybeechairs.com/] in the workplace. Busybee Chairs are online resource for ergonomic chairs [http://www.busybeechairs.com/].
Magnetic beads have been used in many ways through which the right jewelry and various forms of magnetic jewelry that comes in forms of healing and relaxing therapies in different purposes. There are many forms of magnetic beads and strings that have different forms which can be used for various healing ways for the body and also for setting up higher energy frequency around us. There are accent beads, magnet rondels, rice, swirl, drums, bi-cones, marbleized pear beads and many things more.
These different forms of beads come in different combinations for being used in different healing functions. However one must be careful while using magnetic beads in front of electric devices. Being highly charged these natural magnetic beads may upset the EMF balances of several devices. These beads are also fatal when swallowed and should be kept away from children and pets. These should also be handled carefully and not near batter operated devices. Nucleic acid purification process is a major transformative stage that occurs in this work which can be utilized in turn, for various kinds of DNA code alteration and activation synthesis work.
Biotechnology
DYNAL beads are internationally acclaimed and revolutionized separation methods. These beads can be used in differing ways through which scientific applications as well as cite thousands of helping modalities that are achieved through these. These beads deliver various diagnostic assessments and other therapeutic protocols. Overall these are wonderful ways through which any alternative healing therapy can be empowered as they do not interfere with most holistic treatments. Today's biotechnology continues to develop in a system and they bring high impact on different nuances on of one's health. Thus the magnetic beads are being embraced by many. The different sections in terms of Dynabeads help to get to know the different kinds of usages present in these several sizes. There are various applications of Dynabeands that experiment and deal with the different technologies that are being revolutionized in today's world.
Different Forms of Magnetic Beads and Their Uses
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For more information, visit integratedmagnetics.co.uk. They offer information on Magnetic Proteins, as well as Magnetic Beads.
You want to establish a promising career in biotechnology. You have prepared an excellent resume suiting this purpose that is adorned with your work experiences and effective testimonials nevertheless; you find it difficult to set your foot. In order to present your skills, craft a striking cover letter to grab the interest of the recruiter so that they are compelled to set up an interview with you. Here is an example of a potential cover letter.
The Applicant's Name,
Current permanent address,
Current contact number,
E-mail address (not mandatory)
Biotechnology
To,
(Contact Information of your recruiter)
Date: 21st June, 2010.
Writing a Cover Letter For a Research-Based Job in the Field of Biotechnology
Dear Mr. /Mrs. Xyz,
I was pleased to discover on Findmyjob.com that the FCG Biotech Company has an opening for the post of Research Assistant in the field of Molecular Biotechnology. I believe that my credentials and my concerns go with your requirements. I have just finished my graduation this May and I want to apply for the mentioned vacancy.
As a Biotech Engineer, I have completed my studies in Genetic engineering, Micro biology, as well as, in Mathematics and Molecular Chemistry. I am presently drawn in a research assignment based on Pharmaceuticals at the Jesus and Mary Hospital, California, scrutinizing the affects of drugs on children, Genetic disorders, blood cultures for metamorphosis and Recombinant DNA technology. The previous year, I had a chance to work with PGC Pharmaceutical Company, where I contributed in Antibiotics Development and Research Studies.
I have a three years experience in the field of Biotechnology as a Teacher at the St. Agnes Convent School. I get all the errands concerning biotechnology. I am capable of working in a team as well as individually. I am able to put in efforts under pressure.
Besides my experience in the field of research and teaching, I am also involved in some extracurricular activities which include my communal services for the Society of Girls, where I actively organized a Women Scouts Day. I think that I present acute communication expertise and the aptitude to build a strong judgment according to the project needs.
You possibly are interviewing other prospective employees working in the same field. However I expect that you will not craft your final decision until I can discuss this trade with you and present my professional skills.
My Credentials are enclosed; I am awaiting an opportunity to meet you, in order to discuss this prospect. Please feel free to contact me on my number: 001-4678903 to call for an interview as per your convenience, in case you believe that I can make a potential employee. I am sincerely thankful to you, for considering my application.
Sincerely,
The Applicant's Name
Enclosures:
1. Curriculum vitae
2. Documents of qualification
3. Experience letters
4. Academic certificates.
So, I am sure that by now, you must be having an idea regarding a cover letter. I feel you will succeed in this task! So, Good luck!
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There's a graduate degree designed to provide students with the advanced training that might help them in relatively new, or newly expanded, careers. It's known as a professional science Master's degree - and students in some instances can participate in studies part-time, even online.
Professional science graduate degrees combine studies in science with those in management, policy and law, according to the Professional Science Master's Degree Association. The Master's degrees are designed to train students for "fields of the future," according to what a Washington state university representative told a Daily Evergreen reporter in February. Some of these fields include:
Biotechnology
Atmospheric Scientists. These professionals study the atmosphere, explore climate trends and forecast the weather. Many atmospheric scientists work for the federal government, and students might want to ensure first that the college or university they select offers courses that the National Weather Service requires. While a Bachelor's degree in meteorology or a similar field is often required to embark upon a career as an atmospheric scientist, some positions require a Master's degree, and even the most basic research spots call for a PhD.
Biotechnology Allows For Advancements In Graduate Science Degrees
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipates that employment for atmospheric scientists is to increase faster than average. These jobs are to be very competitive, the agency notes, making it more likely that candidates with graduate degrees will actually obtain them. Median annual wages for atmospheric scientists in May 2008 were ,290.
Agricultural and food scientists. These professionals study farm crops and animals that supply us with food and come up with ways to make them more abundant, of a better quality, and in some instances to convert them to use as fuel. Many graduates with Bachelor's degrees might expect to find work in developing products in this field, but those who prefer research might consider continuing on to a graduate degree, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports. Median annual wages of food scientists and technologists in May 2008 were ,520.
Biological scientists. These professionals are the zoologists who study animals and the microbiologists who study tiny organisms. The work that they carry out is designed to help in solving problems related to human health and enhancing the natural environment. Graduates with Bachelor's degrees might expect to find some work in the field, though a PhD is typically required in instances where graduates hope to carry out independent research. Median annual wages of biochemists and biophysicists in May 2008 were ,840.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipates faster than average employment growth for biological scientists because of the growth of biotechnological research and development. The agency also attributes biotechnology to the employment growth for agricultural and food scientists. With biotechnology, scientists have the ability to make plants hardier and resistant to pests, perhaps limiting agriculture's adverse impacts on the environment.
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Students in many instances might want to study beyond the Master's degree for some of these careers. With so many advancements in different fields these days, they might find that the offerings available to them at the graduate degree level are more varied and abundant than they were in the past such as being able to earn a Master online. Thanks to the advancements in technology, people can attend colleges online.
The primary goal of the biotechnology industry is to invent new biologically-active substances, for the treatment of disease, the pharmaceutical industry, and the management of agriculture.
The U.S. is the world leader in biotechnology, currently providing employment for more than 300,000 people in over 6,000 U.S. biotech companies, with an estimated market capitalization of approximately USD 281 billion in 2008. The biotechnology industry has more than tripled in size since 2000, with revenues increasing from USD 25 billion in 2000 to more than USD 80 billion in 2008. In 2007, Amgen, Inc., the world's largest biotechnology company, achieved total sales of USD 14.7 billion. Expectations are that the biotechnology market will increase to more than USD 130 billion by 2011.
Biotechnology
Geographically, the U.S. accounts for 65% of the biotechnology market, Europe 23%, Canada 7%, Australia 3%, and the rest of the world, 2%.
The Biotechnology Industry
Today, genomics and bioinformatics development both are being pursued within major pharmaceutical companies. There have been key collaborations with traditional IT technology companies such as IBM, Hitachi, Ltd., Samsung, SK Telecomm and Motorola. The U.S. biotechnology research and pharmaceutical industry spent a record USD 8.5 billion in 2007 on the R&D of new medicines and vaccines. As of 2006, the biotechnology industry compared favorably with the pharmaceutical industry in terms of R&D expenditures per employee. Venture capital investments in bioscience companies reached USD 11.6 billion in 2007.
Ernst & Young reported that in 2006, 82 publicly-traded Canadian biotech firms claimed S3.2 billion in revenue, accounting for 4.4% of global biotech revenues. Human health accounts for the largest segment of the Canadian biotech industry, representing more than half the interest of all biotech companies, approximately 70% of all biotech revenues and nearly 90% of all biotech R&D. Bioinforrnatics provides an important capability for the Canadian biotech industry, encompassing genomics and other "omics", tissue engineering and drug discovery technology.
Canadian bioinformatics companies include Bioinformatics Solutions, Inc., DNA LandMarks, Inc., and Kinexus Bioinformatics Corporation. Montreal, Quebec, has Canada's leading biotech cluster, followed by Toronto, Ontario; Vancouver, British Columbia; and Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Five European Union (E.U.) member states-Denmark, Finland, Germany, Sweden and the U.K.-continue to be world leaders in biotech innovation along with the U.S. and Japan. In the second half' of 2007, European biotech companies reached USD 765.3 million in venture capital investment. In January and February of 2008, venture capital funds invested a total of USD 145.6 million into new European biotech companies; however, with the economic stresses of the latter part of the year, many European biotech firms may find it harder to raise money in early 2009.
The Biotechnology Industry Organization of Germany (BlO Deutschland), located in Berlin, has more than 180 members, including companies, BioRegions, and sector service providers. The goal of the organization is to support and promote a stable economy through innovation in bioscience. Among the German biotech companies are the Biotechnology Research and Information Network (BRAIN AG), 4SC. AG, Bionas, UmbEl and Direvo, which recently (September 2008) was purchased by the German pharmaceutical and chemicals giant Bayer HealthCare. In view of' the burgeoning German biotech sector, traditional German scientific companies like Eppendorf, AG, Sartorius, AG and Qiagen also have gotten into the act.
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Dr. Richard Graydon, http://www.medauthor.com, trained as an Oncologist, holding both M.D. and PhD degrees, specializing in molecular genetics and cancer research. His education and experience have provided him analytical and clinical skills for keen insight into diagnosis, treatment, and care of cancer patients. See http://www.medauthor.com for further information
Since the times mankind took to agriculture, we have been improving our crops in order to get more yield. The tools of crop improvement are selective breeding of crops with desired characters, cross pollinating two related plants for desired characters followed by controlled self breeding. But this method of breeding has one major drawback. Nature has provided all organisms with genetic inability to breed freely with other species. An organism can breed only among those of same type. Due to this genetic blockage one species is unable to cross breed with another species. A species can breed among relatives of the same species only thus limiting the scope of improvement. There are some exceptions in nature to this like a cross between a donkey and mare is possible and results in a hinny, similarly across between a horse and jackass results in a mule but both hinny and mule are sterile.
Advances in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology have provided us with tools to do away with this genetic blockage. Biotechnology has enabled us to produce organisms with desired characters crossing all limits of species except for religious, moral and ethical issues.
Biotechnology
The result of advances in Biotechnology and Molecular biology is Genetically Modified crops or animals popularly called GM Crops or GM Animals. Various steps in producing GM Crops /Animals can be summarized as
GM Crops - Boon Or Bane?
Organism with desired character is identified.
The gene( a specific sequence of DNA nucleotides that code for a specific character) is identified and cut off from the main sequence.
This gene is attached to a carrier or vehicle called vector. Vector is either a virus or bacterium. The bacterial cells have an extra piece of DNA called plasmid. The gene is attached to plasmid and transferred back to the bacterium.
The bacterium multiplies and produces a large no. of copies of the desire gene.
These gene copies are then transferred to the target cells either by firing them at high velocity into the cell or through a soil bacterium Agrobacterium tumifaciens.
The cells are then cultured using tissue culture techniques to produce GM plants.GM plants are extensively tested to find the proper working of the gene. This is done with the help of certain marker.
Genes express themselves through proteins. This hypothesis is called central dogma
DNA(Gene) ------> mRNA ------> Protein
We may not inadvertently create a similar monster world full of interspecific plants and animals, lest the God once again has to wipe the slate clean to start all over again.
Central Dogma
The expression of gene is a complicated and controlled process through promoter and suppressor genes. These gene switch on or switch off a specific gene thus regulating its expression.
Using biotechnology it is possible to transfer non plant genes into plants.The best example of this is B.t or Bacillus thuringonsis, a naturally occurring bacterium that produces a crystalline protein lethal to insect larvae. This B.t gene has been transferred to many crops like Maize(Corn),Cotton, Brinjal etc. These are commonly called B.t Corn, B.t Cotton and B.t Brinjal respectively.
GM foods may be able to alleviate food supply to millions of the hungry people around the world. GM foods may also reduce dependence on pesticides and herbicides thus addressing the environmental issues. The GM crops will be disease resistant and will be able to tolerate increasing cold or drought or salinity. GM foods may provide us with cheap edible vaccines or specific medicines. They may also help us to clean up heavy metal contamination of the soil.
However, concerns have been raised by religious groups, environmentalists, Public interest groups, Scientists and others regarding the potential impact of GM crops on environment and health.
In the Bible there is a reference to times when mankind was able to interbreed with other organisms(Genetic isolation was absent), resulting in a world full of half human and half animals. God became angry and wiped the slate clean to start all over again.
Though GM foods have a great potential, we must proceed with utmost care to avoid unforetold damage to environment and health.
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I belong to the community of teachers and I teach Life Sciences. Life Science is something what I consider 'Mother of all Sciences'. It is the way of human life. Life science encompasses practically all branches of knowledge,as life itself is dependent on all the physical and chemical parameters with in our knowledge. I write regularly write at http://myinferencesonlife.blogspot.com.
Biotechnology is an advancing area of business at the moment. It involves living microorganisms that are used in conjunction with technological processes to create new products in a variety of ways.
Since this is an advancing technology it is not surprising that a lot of companies involved in this area of science issue biotech penny stocks for people to buy. It is an attractive area to invest in when it comes to penny stocks too, because there is always the chance that you will come across that one company which could make the big time.
Biotechnology
So how do you find the right biotech penny stocks to invest in?
Biotech Penny Stocks
You can start your research online, as there are plenty of websites that list some of the most promising stocks in this area. Don't take everything for granted though - make sure you research each company and find those that have been trading stocks for a while. New companies should be watched to see what happens. You need a steady company which is performing reasonably well in order to make the most of it.
Some biotech companies do well for a short period of time and grab the headlines before fading into obscurity again. If you invest in one of these you will surely lose your money. So stand back and get to know the market and the players before investing anything in biotech stocks.
Don't discount the websites that give you the names of biotech companies however. Names such as Aastrom Biosciences Inc, Magnum D'Or Resources and Opexa Therapeutics can all be found on such sites. Read what they have to say and then do your own research to get the low down on whether a particular stock might be worth investing in.
It goes without saying that doing some general research into penny stocks will also be useful. Learning how the land lies will highlight potential dangers and worthwhile investments as you discover where your money will be most at home.
Even when you do make your first investment be sure to keep an eye on it. Some investors recommend that only a small percentage of your investments should be ploughed into biotech penny stocks. Always spread the risk as much as you can, watch for new companies and new opportunities and don't be afraid to bail out if a biotech company looks to be going downhill.
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Federal lawmakers patted themselves on the back, last Friday, in a joint bi-partisan news release issued by three New Mexico politicians: U.S. Senators Pete Domenici and Jeff Bingaman, and U.S. Congressman Steve Pearce. Their celebratory remarks were meant to remind voters why the politicians were in Washington - to bring their state new jobs for at least some of New Mexico's voters. While the chorus of praise revolved around creating new jobs and bringing millions of dollars into the state's economy, is there more behind this story, which has not yet been told?
For Senator Domenici, this was another major victory as the longest serving U.S. Senator in New Mexico's history. The Republican Senator heads the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. Domenici made his views on nuclear energy quite clear in his book "A Brighter Tomorrow: Fulfilling the Promise of Nuclear Energy" (Rowman & Littlefield, 2004). He began pursuing Louisiana Energy Services to move to New Mexico in February 2003, after it became apparent Hartsville, Tennessee didn't want uranium being enriched in their backyard.
Biotech Rumor
And again, it was Domenici, whose last minute negotiations with Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman, led to the adoption of the Part 810 Waiver. The waiver allowed Louisiana Energy Services (LES) to contact foreign-owned Urenco Ltd about transferring high technology data (the gas centrifuge technology) to LES so the uranium enrichment technology could be utilized at the new facility. U.S. laws ordinarily prohibit such nuclear technology transfers, but Domenici's intervention brought the project to the NRC approval stage. LES had been on the drawing boards since 1989, having derived its name from the state of Louisiana. The LES partnership was initially formed with the intent of building its centrifuge enrichment plant in Homer, Louisiana.
A Nuclear Power Plant May Be Next for New Mexico
Senator Domenici's impact upon the nuclear resurgence in the United States is evident to the entire industry and most politicians. He announced last year, "In 1997, I predicted the resurgence of nuclear energy in the United States. For the last eight years, I have worked to help make that renaissance a reality." Is there, perhaps, one more achievement Senator Domenici would like to add on behalf of the nuclear industry, before giving up his Senate seat? In his book, "A Brighter Tomorrow," Domenici bemoans and condemns nuclear fuel reprocessing. With the advent of the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP), Domenici may bring a nuclear power plant to New Mexico before he retires.
Domenici's Democratic counterpart, Senator Jeff Bingaman, is the ranking Democrat on the Senate Energy and Natural Resource Committee. We suspect Bingaman may play an integral role in helping Senator Domenici fulfill that dream. Ironically, Senator Bingaman, who last November was invited to a Santa Fe anti-nuclear environmentalist fundraiser, and which highlighted television mogul Ted Turner, was effusive in saying about the LES enrichment facility, "This will be one of the largest construction projects our state has ever seen. And the economic impact in southeastern New Mexico will be tremendous." Does Bingaman appear to be playing both sides of the nuclear chessboard?
No, the former attorney, who reportedly once provided legal advice to uranium mining powerhouse, Kerr McGee, is deftly maneuvering between being a good Democrat and providing what he may honestly believe is best for his state. While Bingaman has curried favor among the environmentalists, in May of this year, he accepted, along with Domenici and others, the William S. Lee Award for Leadership at the Nuclear Energy Institute's (NEI) annual conference, saying, "I share a belief that nuclear power can make a meaningful contribution to controlling the growth of greenhouse gases, while still allowing our economy to expand." It was his subsequent remark directed at the NEI, which leads us to believe he may be among the first to support additional nuclear growth in New Mexico. He told the NEI, "I am hoping that you will do your part to use those tools that Congress has put in place to ensure that nuclear power achieves its potential as part of our future energy mix."
The Global Nuclear Energy Partnership
In March 2006, Senator Domenici pledged his support to President Bush's Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP),
"With GNEP, we begin to close the cycle on nuclear waste in ways that prevent proliferation and reduce both the volume and toxicity of waste. By recycling spent nuclear fuel, we can reuse the uranium, which is 96 percent of spent fuel, and separate the most toxic radioactive material to be burned in an advanced burner reactor. By reusing uranium fuel and burning the transuranic material in a new generation of modern reactors, we can reduce the amount of waste placed in Yucca Mountain by a factor of 100."
One of the key technologies in the GNEP program in is the Advanced Burner Reactor (ABR). Deriving its technology from fast reactors, which were used to make nuclear weapons, the concept of the ABR is to minimize the amount of nuclear waste, produced by the nuclear industry's power plants, to a tiny fraction of content. The concept behind the ABR is to "burn" the transuranic elements, such as plutonium and other long-living radioactive material. In this case, burning the radioactive waste is translated as: destroying the transuranics, by converting them into shorter-lived isotopes. When the transuranic elements are consumed by the ABR, a large amount of energy is released and then converted into electricity.
Instead of burying several football fields of nuclear waste in Yucca Mountain (or elsewhere) for one million years, the toxic waste would be recycled as energy to be immediately used to power homes and industry. Part of the GNEP plan is to combine the current, or advanced, light water reactors with the ABR. As the light water nuclear reactors produce transuranics, the ABRs consume those highly radioactive elements. This leaves less nuclear waste for future disposal, and immediately provides energy.
The major issue in the western United States, about nuclear waste, is "please don't put it in our backyard." Several western states have been approached, and even the Carlsbad area was once discussed. Through the ABR technology, it may be possible to minimize the amount of this waste to make it a less undesirable disposal problem. A look at local New Mexico politics may provide an insight as to where the two U.S. senators may be heading with regards to a nuclear power plant for New Mexico.
New Mexico's Enrichment Facility:
Prelude to a Nuclear Power Plant?
If Federal lawmakers are happy about the proposed uranium enrichment facility, some of New Mexico's state politicians were still floating on clouds when we talked to them yesterday. New Mexico legislator John A. Heaton, the Democratic representative serving Carlsbad, waxed enthusiastic about the enrichment facility, "It's the first step in converting this country to nuclear energy."
Mainly the four state senators and representatives, whom we interviewed, echoed each other's praise about Urenco's proposed enrichment facility. "I could not be more pleased," Senator Carroll H. Leavell told us. "It will have a major, very positive impact on the economy." At the peak of construction, as many as 1200 workers may be employed. Later, when the facility is operational, about 300 workers will remain. All four were pleasantly surprised that town hall hearings for the proposed facility were overwhelmingly positive, and the local citizens would be delighted to have this facility in built in southeastern New Mexico. Senator Leavell said with disgust, "Most of the (anti-nuclear) protests have come from outside our area, places like San Francisco, DC and Santa Fe."
Senators Leavell and Gay G. Kernan, the state senator from Hobbs, were invited by Urenco Ltd. to tour an enrichment technology plant in Almelo, Netherlands and left impressed with the company, its honesty and especially the management's attitude of looking at both sides of the issues. Both state senators also observed the surrounding community failed to be negatively impacted by the enrichment facility.
Looking for deeper insights into what the future might hold, we asked all four about the possibility of a nuclear power plant in New Mexico. All four agreed it would be desirable. Additional comments by the four state politicians led us to believe there might be a second step, following Heaton's remark about the enrichment facility being the first step.
Donald L. Whitaker, the Democratic legislator from Eunice, the closest town to the proposed enrichment facility, told us, "I would like to see a nuclear reactor in New Mexico." Whitaker has toured a nuclear facility, and believes one would be great for the state's economy. "They employ about one thousand and bring high-paying jobs," he said. Representative Whitaker was not the lone voice among his fellow eastern New Mexican legislators.
"Yes, we want a nuclear reactor in New Mexico," Representative Heaton said. Heaton is the legislature's Vice Chairman of the Radioactive and Hazardous Materials committee and a member of the Energy & Natural Resources Committee. He discussed the ABR technology and GNEP, explaining how this would solve the waste disposal problem of nuclear reactors and sway public opinion on nuclear energy.
Senator Leavell took a more cautious approach, explaining how nuclear reactors need tremendous amounts of water. "I don't think New Mexico could have a nuclear reactor, not with the current technology." But, he still agreed it would be a good idea if new technologies were developed, which used less water.
Senator Gay Kernan told us, "I don't know if I should be talking about this, but we are one of the candidates for the GNEP program." Having heard a rumor that General Atomics may propose building a nuclear power plant in eastern New Mexico, Senator Kernan confirmed such a plant may be on the drawing boards, and telling us West Texas is likely to be developed as an "alternative energy corridor." She told us, "It would stretch from Carlsbad, New Mexico to the Odessa-Midland, Texas area." Senator Kernan would also like New Mexico to have a nuclear plant, "I don't have a problem with that."
The third politician, joining Senators Domenici and Bingaman, in praising the NRC approval of a draft license for LES and Urenco Ltd, was U.S. Congressman Steve Pearce. Comments, issued by his press secretary on Friday and praising the LES announcement, may foreshadow New Mexico's next step, "Today's announcement marks a major milestone in our efforts to cement our state's leadership role in the development of alternative energy." What greater leadership by a state than in introducing the new GNEP ABR technology in New Mexico? After all, the state of New Mexico remains the founding home to nuclear technology, where the world's first atomic technology was designed at Los Alamos.
In a related development, David Watts, President of the University of Texas of the Permian Basin, recently met with Congressman Pearce about developing a helium-cooled nuclear reactor facility, which would be built underground in either Lea County, New Mexico or Andrews County, Texas. General Atomics of San Diego has funded the pre-conceptual design, which is underway and scheduled for completion in August. Waste Control Specialists has a low-level radioactive waste storage site in Andrews County. Realistically, a nuclear reactor in New Mexico is not out of the question. The legislators may get what they want. We believe Senator Domenici will ultimately set into motion the plans to bring New Mexico its first nuclear power plant. It would become his crowning achievement in helping the nuclear renaissance blossom in this country and in his state.
A Nuclear Power Plant May Be Next for New MexicoHalo: Reach - Achievement HORSE Video Clips. Duration : 9.77 Mins.
Jack and Geoff try something a bit different in Halo: Reach. Today they played a game of HORSE. Things get a bit wacky. Let us know if you enjoy this stuff, we'll keep making it if so! **UPDATE** Here is a link to most of the maps we used: tinyurl.com
James Finch contributes to StockInterview.com and other publications. StockInterview’s “Investing in the Great Uranium Bull Market” has become the most popular book ever published for uranium mining stock investors. Visit [http://www.stockinterview.com]
What you say in the first few moments of a negotiation often sets the climate of the negotiation. The other person quickly gets a feel for whether you are working for a win-win solution, or whether you're a tough negotiator who's out for everything they can get.
That's one problem that I have with the way that attorneys negotiate-they're very confrontational negotiators. You get that white envelope in the mail with black, raised lettering in the top left hand corner and you think, "Oh, no! What is it this time?" You open the letter and what's the first communication from them? It's a threat. What they're going to do to you, if you don't give them what they want.
Biotech Rumor
I remember conducting a seminar for 50 attorneys who litigated medical malpractice lawsuits, or as they prefer to call them, physician liability lawsuits. I've never met an attorney who was eager to go to a negotiating seminar, although that's what they do for a living, and these people were no exception to the rule. However, the organization that was giving the attorneys their business told them that they were expected to attend my seminar if they wanted to get any more cases from the organization. So the attorneys weren't too happy about having to spend Saturday with me in the first place, but once we got started, they became involved and were having a good time. I got them absorbed in a workshop involving a surgeon being sued over an unfortunate incident involving a nun and walked around the room to see how they were doing. I couldn't believe how confrontational they were being. Most of them started with a vicious threat and then became more abusive from that point on. I had to stop the exercise and tell them that if they wanted to settle the case without expensive litigation (and I doubted their motives on that score) that they should never be confrontational in the early stages of the negotiation.
Setting the Climate for a Non-Confrontational Negotiation
So, be careful what you say at the beginning. If the other person takes a position with which you totally disagree, don't argue. Arguing always intensifies the other person's desire to prove himself or herself right. You're much better off to agree with the other person initially and then turn it around using the Feel, Felt, Found formula. Respond with, "I understand exactly how you feel about that. Many other people have felt exactly the same way as you do right now. (Now you have diffused that competitive spirit. You're not arguing with them, you're agreeing with them.) But you know what we have always found? When we take a closer look at it, we have always found that . ."
Let's look at some examples:
So instead of arguing up front, which creates confrontational negotiation, get in the habit of agreeing and then turning it around.
At my seminars, I sometimes ask a person in the front row to stand. As I hold my two hands out, with my palms facing toward the person I've asked to stand, I ask him to place his hands against mine. Having done that and without saying another word, I gently start to push against him. Automatically, without any instruction, he always begins to push back. People shove when you shove them. Similarly, when you argue with someone, it automatically makes him or her want to argue back.
The other great thing about Feel, Felt, Found is that it gives you time to think. Sometimes something will come up in a negotiation that you weren't expecting. You haven't heard anything like this before. It shocks you. You don't know what to say; but if you have Feel, Felt, Found in the back of your mind, you can say, "I understand exactly how you feel about that. Many other people have felt exactly the same way. However, I have always found . . ." By the time you get there, you'll have thought of something to say. Similarly, you sometimes catch other people at a bad moment. You may be a salesperson who is calling to get an appointment and the person says to you, "I don't have any more time to waste talking to some lying scum-sucking salesperson." You calmly say, "I understand exactly how you feel about that. Many other people have felt exactly the same way. However . . ." By the time you get there you will have recovered your composure and will know exactly what to say.
Key points to remember:
Don't argue with people in the early stages of the negotiation because it creates confrontation.
Use the Feel, Felt, Found formula to turn the hostility around.
Having Feel, Felt, Found in the back of your mind gives you time to think when the other side throws some unexpected hostility your way.
Setting the Climate for a Non-Confrontational NegotiationHalo: Reach - Fails of the Weak Volume #3 (Funny Halo: Reach Bloopers!) Tube. Duration : 3.58 Mins.
Jack and Geoff are back with a slew of incredible (?) feats in the world of Halo: Reach. Cheer and laugh along with the antics of these crazy folks! If you sent in a Fail of the Weak, bear with us, we've received hundreds! We'll get to yours!
Roger Dawson is the author of two of Nightingale-Conant's best selling audiocassette programs, Secrets of Power Negotiating and Secrets of Power Negotiating for Salespeople. This article is excerpted in part from Roger Dawson's new book - "Secrets of Power Negotiating", published by Career Press and on sale in bookstores everywhere for .99.
Negotiations are often associated with labor union contract, with strongly held positions, or with conflicting situations. However, looking at negotiating from a better perspective, we are surprised to find that it is much a part of our daily life. Daily, we bring negotiations into our relationships, our businesses, and our employment practices.
In recalling the different negotiations in which I have been involved, one stands clearly in my mind. It was a performance appraisal meeting at a former place of employment. I can recall how the meeting took place and its unproductive results. Later I learned effective negotiation skills that would have produced a winning outcome for all parties involved.
Biotech Rumor
Performance appraisals were conducted once a year in my former organization. I dreaded that review because a new manager that had not observed the employees' job performance would conduct it. Rumor had it that she would evaluate every one as merely competent employees, and contrary to my expectations, the rumor turned out to be true.
Effective Negotiation Skills: A Practical Application
My performance appraisal meeting became no more than a full review of all the dimensions in my job description. To each dimension she attached an equal sign to signify that I had performed as expected. There were no instances in which she thought that I had performed above expectations, and with that, I firmly disagreed. Not only did I disagree, but also I sensed I was becoming angry and resentful.
In that meeting, I took the position approach described in Fisher and Ury (1991) in their book Getting to Yes . I let my supervisor know that I was not in agreement with her and began to explain my view of my own performance, which I carefully backed with facts and figures. I made sure she understood that I deserved a much better rating. She took the position approach as well. She reinstated that all of my facts showed that my performance was as expected, and no more. I tried with examples to convince her, but she had taken a stand and would not back down. I did likewise. We were locked in our positions and did not reach a satisfactory agreement.
That performance review caused me to feel as if I had been in a battlefield and lost. I began to see my supervisor as my adversary and our work relationship suffered. I learned that the position approach does not produce a wise or beneficial outcome for either party. If the situation were to occur again, I could handle that negotiation in a much better way.
The circumstances would be the same. My new supervisor would have little knowledge of the employees' performance for the previous months and would opt for a competent evaluation across the board. I would be rated as a competent employee also. But here is where I would differ from my real experience. My new negotiation approach would be principle negotiation, negotiation on the merits.
I would begin by separating the people from the problem, as outlined by Fisher & Ury (1991) in the book Influence. In this case, separating the people from the problem meant to understand why she felt compelled to evaluate me in such way. Perhaps she was told to do so by her own supervisor, or may be she understood this to be a fair way of evaluating a performance that she had not observed. Regardless of the reasons, my new approach would be not to take it as a personal criticism, and I would remind myself that the ongoing relationship is more important than the outcome of that review.
My next step would be to focus on our common interests. I have learned that the aim of an appraisal system is to improve the employee´s performance. It should be goal oriented and it should point out an employee's specific needs for training and development. So rather than taking positions over my work in the previous twelve months, the content of the new meeting would be to identify a specific performance goal and to develop a plan of action to achieve the goal during the next performance period.
If I were given a chance to go through that performance evaluation meeting again, this is what I would say: "I really appreciate that you consider me a competent employee. That is what I strive for, and yet I would like to be more than competent. If you would agree with me, I would like for the two of us to focus on the future and on how I can improve my performance. It has been our organization's practice to measure performance by the objective set the previous performance period. I would like to work with you and to set goals for my development for the next twelve months."
Tow principles should work in the proposal made above, reciprocity and precedence. The principle of reciprocity says that we should repay what another person has provided for us. One of the consequences of this principle according to Cialdini (1993) is that we would feel obligated to make a concession to someone who has made a concession to us. In ignoring an average evaluation, I would have made a concession. By referring to our organization's past practice regarding performance, I would be establishing precedence. I would expect that my supervisor would have agreed to focus on a common goal if I had taken this approach.
Developing options for a plan of action for the next performance period would not be a difficult task at that point. A number of options would be listed that would satisfy my supervisor as well as myself. Ownership of the ideas would belong to both, and surely a plan for improved performance would bring about mutual gain.
Once my supervisor has agreed to develop a plan of action for the next performance period and has worked with me on a list of options, a third principle of persuasion should come into play, the principle of commitment and consistency. Commitment according to Cialdini (1993) means that there is a natural tendency to behave in ways that are consistent with the stand that we have taken. At this point, I would expect to see the old way of rating employees near the average or middle of the scale should be gone forever. The proposed type of appraisal meeting is based on an objective criteria and it focuses on solving problems rather than finding faults. It looks to the future and it yields to principles, not pressures.
In a real life situation, a performance appraisal meeting, effective negotiation skills can be used for mutual gain. In examining the positions that can be taken, it is clear that a position stand does not produce a satisfactory outcome for either party. Utilizing effective negotiation skills that bring about a winning outcome for all, includes separating the people from the problem, focusing on mutual interest, inventing options for mutual gain, and using objective criteria. Principles of persuasion, reciprocity, precedence, ownership, commitment and consistency are additional valuable tools in negotiations.
REFERENCES
Fisher, R. & Ury, W. (1991). Getting to Yes . New York: Penguin Books.
Cialdini, R. (1993). Influence . New York: William Morrow
Effective Negotiation Skills: A Practical ApplicationThe Invasion! : Original Short Tube. Duration : 2.42 Mins.
Static on the phone lines? Strange signals from Mars? It can only mean one thing! INVASION! Starring Zack Finfrock Featuring Jenn Capizzi as The Girlfriend Directed and Edited: Vincent Talenti Visual FX: Aaron Moorhead Original Score: Dan Martinez Sound Design: Julian Higgins Production Assistant: Aaron Giles *BONUS* Click below for the Original Indy Mogul Theme Ringtone! www.mediafire.com - .m4r for the iPhone www.mediafire.com - .mid for Verizon www.mediafire.com - .mp3 for anything else! To learn how to create your own Fig Rig as used in this BFX original short, check out: www.indymogul.com Indy Mogul's Original Shorts are funny short films featuring the effects and props from Indy Mogul's Backyard FX. Great filmmaking on a budget. Fun, Cheap, Filmmaking.' Website: www.indymogul.com Submit www.indymogul.com Twitter: www.twitter.com Facebook: www.facebook.com
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Dori Kelsey is owner operator of SpainExchange. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Spring Arbor College (Michigan) in Management and Organizational Development, and a Master of Liberal Studies from The University of Toledo (Ohio). Through her 25-year career in the United States she acquired professional experience in the fields of international education, employment and training, and human resources development along with effective skills in the development and coordination of programs and the provision of services to foreign nationals.
As owner operator of SpainExchange, she has developed educational tours of Spain, school exchanges, and customized training programs for various schools, universities and educational services. All programs have successfully met the clients' objectives as they provided relevant learning as well as enjoyable activities for the participants.
The biotech industry has experienced explosive growth, dwarfing that of the high tech industry. It's driven by two factors - the curiosity of its scientists and the payoff. The profits to be made are enormous, and it's these profits that are blinding its proponents and driving the debate.
It all started back in 1995 with the modification of the humble tomato. But what a Pandora's Box it opened. Today we see many varieties of genetically altered produce which, though it looks the same on the outside, is very unique in its genetic make-up. This practice of creating designer foods through gene manipulation is seen as the exiting future in agricultural farming. Geneticists tell us breathlessly that this new technology will revolutionize our lives and lead to electrifying advances in the food industry. Some of the supposed benefits of this gene-manipulation are:
o Foods more tolerant to chemicals & better resistance to pests & diseases
Biotechnology
o More nutritional content and improved food processing traits
Biotechnology - A Genetic Pandora's Box
o Resistance to unfavorable soils and weather circumstances
o Improved ripening, texture and flavor in foods
But Is It Safe?
Although the technology is impressive, the question of food safety remains skeptical and claims illusory. Genetic engineering is only in its infancy and scientists have no idea what they're messing with. By inserting genes to alter design and content, they intervene in DNA which is a self-organizing, self-replicating macromolecule, with the ability to perform error correction. Introduction of an alien gene introduces instability. The stress will cause the molecule to try and expel, or mutate the alien gene, with the result being a new structure, and the possibility of gross malfunction. This instability or undesired characteristic may not become apparent for several generations.
At this point in time, Agriculture Canada and the USDA have not identified long term health risks. All testing done to date, despite reassurances to the contrary by the biotech industry and regulatory authorities, are construed to safeguard the industry not guarantee public safety. Standard toxicology tests are conducted by the industry that benefits, no testing is done by regulatory authorities (they rely on industry data), no independent scientific tests, no long term studies, no sixth, seventh, eighth and later generation studies, and no monitoring of releases to the environment. In other words, testing is grossly one-sided. The only meaningful trials taking place are those that use the human population as involuntary guinea-pigs and the environment as an outside laboratory.
The biotech industry specializes in half-truths, downright deceptions, and extravagant claims. It comes as no surprise to learn that companies big in the manufacture and distributions of biocides (e.g. Monsanto) are also major biotech players. Nor should it come as a surprise that intense lobbying by the same companies has led to a massive increase in the permitted herbicide residues on crops. GM crops can tolerate increased herbicide applications, thus leading to a substantial increase in usage.
So we can easily see that biotechnology, rather than being used to solve agricultural problems, is more profit driven than need driven. It intensifies the farmers' dependence upon industrial inputs to legally inhibit the right of farmers to reproduce, share and store seeds. By controlling the germplasm from seed to sale and by forcing farmers to pay inflated prices for seed-chemical packages, companies are determined to extract the most profit from their investment.
Opinion polls show the world public to be overwhelmingly against genetically modified foods. In France, Britain, Denmark, USA and countries of Europe, between 68-90% of all surveyed were dogmatically against the use of GM products. The giant chemical companies are well aware of this dilemma.
(There is substantial opposition from the public, from the media, and not least, from retailers) - Leaked internal Monsanto report.
Yet we'll likely continue to dine on DNA altered cuisine without ever knowing it. Peddlers of genetically modified foods continue to slip their adulterated products onto the world market in the hope that no one will notice. Producers deliberately mix GM and non-GM products in their foods, which amounts to force-feeding an unsuspecting public. How many people in Canada know they're eating an estimated diet of 60% genetically processed foods? How many know that the US, Canada and Argentina account for more than 90% of the world's GM food crops? Absence of food labeling helps tremendously in this growing market (as it does with irradiated food).
[Labeling is the key issue ... If you put a label on genetically engineered food; you might as well put a skull and crossbones on it. - head of Asgrow, Monsanto seed subsidiary].
More genetic danger
What about ecological balance? Modified crop genes could cross-pollinate into the countryside, destroying wild habitats and creating a genetically polluted environment. Once released, genetic material can never be retrieved again. These organisms are a new life form that can mutate and breed for generations with other living things. It is a non-indigenous species that has absolutely no natural habitat outside the laboratory. Their introductions will most certainly set off elements of the environment that have a domino effect of cascading changes throughout the entire eco-system.
"If something does go badly wrong we will be faced with the problem of clearing up a kind of pollution which is self-perpetuating. I am not convinced that anyone has the first idea of how this could be done, or indeed who would have to pay." - Prince Charles, Seeds of Disaster, The Daily Telegraph, 8 June 1998
Here are a few examples of agricultural genetic failures illustrating some of the problems that have been encountered:
o The Flavr Savr tomato was a commercial disaster
o Bt-cotton suffered extensive damage from Bt-resistance pests
o Roundup Cotton shed its cotton balls when sprayed with Roundup
o A soybean with a Brazil nut gene contains a protein fatal to those with nut allergy
o Genetically modified potatoes damaged the immune system in rats
o Transgenic canola can harm bees by destroying their ability to recognize flower perfumes
These are but a few samples taken from known examples. There may be many more that we don't know about because latent genetic abnormalities have not yet surfaced. It takes only one rogue gene to cause a disaster. Biotechnology offers no benefits to the public or to the environment, only to the biotech companies which hope to make a killing. It may be a bigger killing than they anticipated. Using genetically modified crops is the same as conducting a gigantic experiment on the world's ecosystem. But with this experimentation, the ultimate price could be life itself.
"My worry is that other advances in science may result in other means of mass destruction, maybe more readily available even than nuclear weapons. Genetic engineering is quite a possible area, because of these dreadful developments that are taking place there." - Joseph Rotblat, Nobel Prize Laureate.
Sources:
1) Allen, Scott - Tinkering with DNA on Your Dinner Plate - New York Times Syndicate, 1999
2) Alison Abbot, German Physicians Warn of Genetics Risks, Nature, Vol 384 No 9, 1997
3) Andy Coghlan, The Devil We Don't Know - Virus Resistance Is What Keeps Genetic Engineers Awake At Night, New Scientist, 12 September 1996
4) Anon, Gene Food Row, News in Brief, the Sunday Times, 16 August 1998
5) Anon, Battle Lines Drawn Over Labeling of Genetically Engineered Foods, Campaigns & News, the Ecologist, July/August 1998
6) Ambassador College Agricultural Department - Genetic Engineering, Complex Path To Failure - Your Living Environment, May 1970/73,Vol.1,No.5.
7) Asda, Labeling of Genetically Modified Ingredients, Asda, 28 January 1998
8) BBC, News Item On Genetically Modified Food, The World at One, Radio 4, BBC, 10 August 1998
9) BBC, Report on Virulent and Cross-Species Viruses, Frontiers, Radio 4, BBC, 24 February 1999
10) BBC, Report on GM Crops, One Planet, BBC World Service, BBC, 16 December 1998 11) Clive Cookson, Field of Genes, Financial Times, 11 August 1998
12) Cummins, E.Joseph - More On Tinkered Genes - Alive, Canadian Journal of Health & Nutrition,Issue 3,p.135,1993.
13) FDA, Center for Food Safety & Applied Nutrition-Emerging Technologies - Biotechnology, 1995
14) FDA/CFSAN, Fed.Register - Statement of Policy: Foods Derived from New Plant Varieties - Vol.57, No.104, p.22984-22989, May 29, 1992.
15) Food Labeling; Foods Derived from New Varieties, Federal Register, April 28, 1993, Vol. 58 pages 25837-25841
Hsu, Karen - The Future Of Food Is Now - New York Times Syndicate, 1999.
16) Kendall, Patricia-Food Biotech.: Boon or Threat-Journal of Nutr. Education, 1997 - Society for Nutrit.Education.
17) McCullum,Christine - The New Biotechnology Era: Issues for Education and Policy - Journal of Nutrition Education and Policy, May/June 1997-Society for Nutritional Education.
18) P. Hatchwell, Opening Pandora's Box - The Risks of Releasing Genetically Engineered Organisms, the Ecologist, July/August 1989
21) Staunton, Dennis & Others - GM Food Threatens The Planet - Guardian Newspapers Ltd., 1999.
22) Steve Gorelick, Hiding Damaging Information From The Public, The Ecologist, Sept./Oct. 1998
23) Wales, Prince Of - Genetically Modified Food: Is It An Innovation We Can Do Without? - Online Forum, Copyright St. James Place and the Press Association Ltd. 1999
Biotechnology - A Genetic Pandora's BoxThe Invasion! : Original Short Video Clips. Duration : 2.42 Mins.
Static on the phone lines? Strange signals from Mars? It can only mean one thing! INVASION! Starring Zack Finfrock Featuring Jenn Capizzi as The Girlfriend Directed and Edited: Vincent Talenti Visual FX: Aaron Moorhead Original Score: Dan Martinez Sound Design: Julian Higgins Production Assistant: Aaron Giles *BONUS* Click below for the Original Indy Mogul Theme Ringtone! www.mediafire.com - .m4r for the iPhone www.mediafire.com - .mid for Verizon www.mediafire.com - .mp3 for anything else! To learn how to create your own Fig Rig as used in this BFX original short, check out: www.indymogul.com Indy Mogul's Original Shorts are funny short films featuring the effects and props from Indy Mogul's Backyard FX. Great filmmaking on a budget. Fun, Cheap, Filmmaking.' Website: www.indymogul.com Submit www.indymogul.com Twitter: www.twitter.com Facebook: www.facebook.com
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Jorg Mardian is a Registered Holistic Nutritionist and Certified Fitness Trainer, with over 25 years of practical experience through thousands of clients. He is also editor of "Health in Motion," a health intelligence blog giving clear and concise information on the real truth about nutrition and causes of disease. It can be found at http://healthinmotion.wordpress.com
Overview of the Qualifying Therapeutic Discovery Project Credit
The Qualifying Therapeutic Discovery Project Credit ("the Credit") was created by Congress as part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act passed on March 23, 2010. The potential incentive for small to mid-sized biotechnology companies is significant but there are limited funds available and there is a short two year window to take advantage of the incentive on a first come, first serve basis.
Biotechnology
Consequently, the time to act is now or you will miss out on this opportunity.
Lucrative New Opportunity For Small to Mid-Sized Biotechnology Companies
This article will outline the positive and negative aspects of The Credit and why you must begin the process immediately to obtain your piece of the pie.
Net Benefit Examples
Before delving into the details of the Credit, let's look at two examples of the potential benefit for eligible companies. An important aspect of the Credit is that companies cannot take the same expenses toward the Credit and the R&D Credit. (The R&D Credit may be utilized for other expenses). These examples illustrate both the size of the incentive for the Credit but also how it compares to the R&D Tax Credit.
Benefit Comparison Example: Medical Device Maker
Sampling of Activities:
Drug Delivery Devices
Treatment Delivery Systems
Therapeutic Care Equipment
Medical Monitoring Devices
Qualified Expenditures:
2009 - Million
2010 - Million
Benefit Comparison:
Estimated net benefit under the R&D Tax Credit: 5,000
Estimated net benefit under The Credit: ,625,000
Benefit Comparison Example: Biopharmaceutical Development
Sampling of Activities:
Pharmaceutical Research
Clinical Trials
Pre-Clinical Research and Testing
Qualified Expenditures:
2009: Million
2010: .5 Million
Benefit Comparison:
Estimated net benefit under the R&D Tax Credit: 2,500
Estimated net benefit under the Affordable Care Credit: 2,500
Overview of The Credit
Biotechnology firms have a lucrative opportunity to recover newly created Federal grants and tax credits. Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, eligible firms can apply for a tax credit or non-taxable cash grant in an amount equal to 50% of investments made in qualified therapeutic discovery projects. Congress mandated the creation of a new program, administered by the Secretary of the Treasury ("the Secretary"), to consider grants and credits by the end of May 2010. While the scope of activities covered by the Qualifying Therapeutic Discovery Project Credit ("the Credit") is broad, the amount of funds and years of eligibility are limited.
Broad in Scope
The Credit goes beyond existing investment tax incentives. Under the new law, expenses incurred in pursuit of any project designed to develop a "product, process, or technology" that furthers the "delivery or administration of therapeutics" are qualified. Moreover, projects designed to treat or diagnose a disease or condition may be qualified.
Consideration will be given to those projects that show reasonable potential to result in:
1) new therapies that treat areas of unmet medical need;
2) new therapies that prevent, detect, or treat chronic or acute diseases and conditions;
3) reduction of long-term health care costs in the United States; and
4) significant advancement of the goal of curing cancer within a 30-year period.
Like other investment tax credits, national job creation and retention is an important part of the law. When considering grants and credits, the Secretary will take into account the potential to create and sustain high paying U.S. jobs, as well as the potential benefit to U.S. competitiveness in the fields of life, biological, and medical sciences.
Eligible Companies
Firms that employ medical researchers, biomedical engineers, and other personnel with a background in life sciences should consider this opportunity.
Here is a list of companies that may have eligible projects for The Credit:
• Pharmaceuticals
• Medical, Drug Delivery and Health Device Manufacturers
• Biopharmaceutical Engineering Firms
• Genetic Research Firms
• Biomedical Engineering Firms
• Life Sciences Companies
• Health Sciences Companies
• Health Diagnostics Manufacturers
• Biomedical Manufacturing
• Therapeutic Treatment Companies
• Biomaterial Firms
• Tissue Engineering Companies
• Biomedical Optics Firms
• Cancer Research Companies
• Cancer Treatment Firms
• Radiology Companies
• Nanotechnology Firms
Major Benefits of The Credit
Unlike other investment tax incentives:
1. Applicants for the Credit are not required to have current taxable income.
2. Firms with no tax liability can apply for a grant in lieu of a tax credit.
3. The Credit has a statutory response time of 30 days.
a. Firms applying for the tax credit will be approved or denied by the Treasury Department within 30 days from the date of application.
b. Firms applying for a grant must be paid within 30 days from the later of the date of application or the date the qualified investment is made.
Limitations
Firms considering a grant or credit must take action now because of the following limitations:
1. Under current law, The Credit is only applicable to qualified investments made during the 2009 and 2010 tax years.
2. The amount of funds currently available is capped at billion.
3. The credit is limited to firms with 250 employees or less.
These limitations will result in intense competition for the funds currently allocated.
Program Administration
Under the new law, the Secretary must establish a program to administer the Credit not later than 60 days from the date of enactment. Though the Secretary has not released new details yet, it is clear that application and approval of funds will occur relatively quickly. Though the exact details of the program have not been released, eligible firms must begin tax planning.
Summary
In our estimation, the positive aspects of the Qualifying Therapeutic Discovery Project Credit are enormous but there is a small window of opportunity to take advantage of The Credit.
Given the administration and scrutiny of existing tax incentives, such as the R&D tax credit, those tax consultants with a background in science and engineering are particularly well suited to capture this new opportunity. Tax consultants with these qualifications are in the best position to help taxpayers properly identify qualified therapeutic investment projects. Eligible firms should contact a qualified tax advisor immediately.
Lucrative New Opportunity For Small to Mid-Sized Biotechnology CompaniesMinecraft - "Shadow of Israphel" Part 1: Crash and Burn Video Clips. Duration : 14.50 Mins.
The heroes finally return home, after a gruelling period on the Survival Island - to find that the world they left behind has changed for the worse. They must gather what resources they have and set out on a new adventure! Huge thanks to Variede for the starting cutscene and bonus stuff, subscribe to his channel here! Very reasonable rates! www.youtube.com Facebook: www.facebook.com Our Podcast: itunes.apple.com Texture pack is DSB's Gerudoku remix, around page 17 of this thread: www.minecraftforum.net
The authors are Karim Solanji, J.D., Director and Mark Lauber, VP of Marketing both of Paradigm Partners. Paradigm Partners is a national tax consulting firm specializing in niche tax services such as the R&D Tax Credit, Qualifying Therapeutic Discovery Project Credit, the IC-DISC (U.S. Exporters' Tax Incentive), WOTC (Federal and State Hiring Tax Incentives), Section 179 and Cost Segregation. Mark's email is MLauber@ParadigmLP.com and his phone number is (281) 558-7100 X-105. Our website is http://www.ParadigmLP.com.
Based in Warrenville, Illinois, biofuels industry leader Coskata says that with its technology the company can produce ethanol from just about any organic material. Even better, Coskata says it is able to do so for less than per gallon. This claim, and generous backing from venture capitalists and the likes of General Motors, gave Coskata the number one ranking from Biofuels Digest in its list of the 50 Hottest Companies in Bioenergy.
Unlike most of its ethanol-focused competitors, the Coskata approach is not based on improved cellulosic conversion to fermentable sugars. Rather, Coskata uses already available chemical technology for converting mixed agricultural and municipal waste into a synthesis gas, which consists mainly of carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrogen.
Biotechnology
Then second step is the biological one, relying on the microbial bioconversion of the synthesis gas to ethanol. Coskata claims it produces "99.7% pure ethanol" with its microbe and process, although of course, every other method can also produce 99.7% pure ethanol once the ethanol is refined and distilled. A distinct advantage of the Coskata technology is the use of non-food raw materials, avoiding the problem of diverting food crops to fuels or the crowding out of food crops with fuel crops.
Hot Biofuels Company - A Profile of Coskata, Inc
Coskata's process would produce ethanol from agricultural waste like corn stalks and wheat straw. Another advantage is that Coskata's method for producing ethanol avoids the "negative energy" comparisons that have been so glibly bandied about. Using already available waste means no additional energy cost for growing and harvesting the raw materials it will use as a feedstock, and therefore, Coskata calculates that its ethanol provides 7.7 times the energy required to produce it.
Whether or not this is strictly true, on paper Coskata's process looks far more efficient than corn-based ethanol production.
As for revenues, Coskata has nothing of significance on the horizon. The company's first pilot plant won't be running until the end of 2009 at the earliest, and it will only produce about 40,000 gallons per year. At per gallon, that is a pretty poor return on the approximately 0 million invested. But Coskata claims that the sky is the limit on its future potential, which is why all the money has flowed in from investors in the first place. The first commercial-scale plant producing 100 million gallons per year is scheduled for 2011, and if the company meets that milestone, the future for Coskata will be highly liquid-both with green fuel and greenbacks.
Hot Biofuels Company - A Profile of Coskata, IncThe Invasion! : Original Short Video Clips. Duration : 2.42 Mins.
Static on the phone lines? Strange signals from Mars? It can only mean one thing! INVASION! Starring Zack Finfrock Featuring Jenn Capizzi as The Girlfriend Directed and Edited: Vincent Talenti Visual FX: Aaron Moorhead Original Score: Dan Martinez Sound Design: Julian Higgins Production Assistant: Aaron Giles *BONUS* Click below for the Original Indy Mogul Theme Ringtone! www.mediafire.com - .m4r for the iPhone www.mediafire.com - .mid for Verizon www.mediafire.com - .mp3 for anything else! To learn how to create your own Fig Rig as used in this BFX original short, check out: www.indymogul.com Indy Mogul's Original Shorts are funny short films featuring the effects and props from Indy Mogul's Backyard FX. Great filmmaking on a budget. Fun, Cheap, Filmmaking.' Website: www.indymogul.com Submit www.indymogul.com Twitter: www.twitter.com Facebook: www.facebook.com
Tags: Invasion, aliens, indymogul, funnyvideos, shortfilms, filmmaking, movies, mars, attacks, martians, war, of, the, worlds, district
David Rozzell maintains a web site and blog dedicated to the latest developments and news in biofuels, biocatalysis, and industrial biotechnology. For informative, sometimes amusing, always opinionated analysis go to http://www.bio-catalyst.com Contact him at david@bio-catalyst.com.
Among the many branches of pharmaceutical engineering Biopharmaceuticals is one of them, which develops medicines using biotechnology concepts. Biopharmaceuticals plants use living organisms and biological sources which have abundant of these substances which are used in production of medicines.
There therapeutic proteins which are restorative and secure have huge demand because they have a good healing powers and also they can be used in the production of prominent medicines. Over the past two decades, Biotechnology has gained lot of momentum and popularity in the medical world. The agents which stimulating red-blood-cell, insulin and growth hormones, etc, are vastly used in prevention of many diseases like orphan diseases, arthritis, multiple sclerosis etc.
Biotechnology
These plants use the concepts of biotechnology in production of all important drugs. With the development of pathogenesis, which can give reliable solutions to all fatal diseases, the life expectancy will be improved. Biopharmaceutical products can be used to efficiently treat various illnesses and traumas. This biotechnology requires huge investments and longtime development plan.
Biopharmaceutical Plants and Pharmaceutical Engineering
Production costs of the medicines needs to be reduced by adopting efficient methods in biopharmaceutical plants, also additional safety procedures need to be implemented.
Blood disorders and oncology which jeopardize normal like of mankind can be cured with using vaccines and other anti-infective agents; this treatment is available only because of biopharmaceuticals.
Various methods and strategies have been published describing effective production of biological substance by many healthcare organizations. All these methods and strategies are useful in the manufacturing process of various medicines. Biopharmaceutical plants produced various useful medicines which are highly effective to cure general as well as fatal diseases; they are still working hard to contribute more to the medical world.
Biopharmaceutical Plants and Pharmaceutical EngineeringThe Invasion! : Original Short Tube. Duration : 2.42 Mins.
Static on the phone lines? Strange signals from Mars? It can only mean one thing! INVASION! Starring Zack Finfrock Featuring Jenn Capizzi as The Girlfriend Directed and Edited: Vincent Talenti Visual FX: Aaron Moorhead Original Score: Dan Martinez Sound Design: Julian Higgins Production Assistant: Aaron Giles *BONUS* Click below for the Original Indy Mogul Theme Ringtone! www.mediafire.com - .m4r for the iPhone www.mediafire.com - .mid for Verizon www.mediafire.com - .mp3 for anything else! To learn how to create your own Fig Rig as used in this BFX original short, check out: www.indymogul.com Indy Mogul's Original Shorts are funny short films featuring the effects and props from Indy Mogul's Backyard FX. Great filmmaking on a budget. Fun, Cheap, Filmmaking.' Website: www.indymogul.com Submit www.indymogul.com Twitter: www.twitter.com Facebook: www.facebook.com
Keywords: Invasion, aliens, indymogul, funnyvideos, shortfilms, filmmaking, movies, mars, attacks, martians, war, of, the, worlds, district
