Biotechnology is the art of using tiny animals called microorganisms, or their parts, to produce products or services that are of value to man or to the environment. Many jobs and business opportunities are increasingly in the area of biotechnology. Below is the guidance in applying biotechnology to address various local/national challenges/problems.
(b) The science behind
– Rotting is a natural process of breaking down organic matter by feeding microorganisms. It is these feeding microorganisms that break up the inner tissue of gourds or calabashes, making them ready for use as containers in homes.
– The evening (weak) sunlight catalyzed oxidation of certain compounds found in the outer layers of gourds, thereby giving the containers an appealing outer appearance.
(c) Challenge for present Uganda
-They are numerous microorganisms in the rotting rubbish that you see around. Some of these microorganisms have a high commercial value. They produce substances that are needed in medicine, industry, agriculture, biotechnology, and so on.
-Uganda’s hot and wet climate favors growth of all kinds of life. This means that Uganda may have microorganisms that are superior at decomposing organic matter, including possibly oil and plastics. These microorganisms, if found, may become a huge source of wealth for yourself and for the country at large.
(d) What you need to think about
i. Have you ever seen rotting rubbish anywhere?
ii. If no, ask your parent or teacher to show you rotting rubbish.
iii. If yes, did you know:
-That rotting rubbish is fulfilling a directive from the Holy books, namely “from soil, organic matter arose, and back into soil, it goes!”?
-That it is the very tiny animals called microorganisms carrying out that divine directive?
-That some of these microorganisms are so valuable that studying just one of them could make you famous or rich for the rest of your life?
(b) The science behind
Grass residues was as a source of microorganisms that found their way into juice below, converting sugars in the juice into alcohol.
(c) Challenge for present
Improving the quality of local fermented drinks and their production methods is one of the challenges facing Uganda.
(d) What you need to think about
i. Is the sugar found in banana juice the same as that we take in tea?
ii. If not, can the sugar we take in tea be fermented into alcohol too?
iii. What sources of sugar are used in the production of other alcoholic drinks in Uganda, e.g. beer, wine, etc.?
vi. Can those sources of sugar become a means of income for people in Uganda?
v. If you think so, how can they become an important source of income for people?
-Milk was then churned for about one hour in the morning and one hour in the evening, for 5-7 days.
(b) The science behind
Milk can be broken down into different products by living microorganisms.
(c) Challenge for present Uganda
Improving the quality of local fermented foods and their production methods is one of the challenges facing Uganda.
(d) What you need to think about
i. Do you know cow ghee that is made locally in Uganda?
ii. Which communities in Uganda make cow ghee?
iii. Can this cow ghee become an important source of income for people in those communities?
iv. If you think so, how?
v. Do you know a local fermented drink called ‘Bushera’?
vi. If yes, have you ever drunk “Bushera’ that is packaged and sold in shops?
vii. If yes, do they have any challenge(s); if so, which challenge(s)?
viii. How can the challenge(s) you mentioned in (vii) above be addressed?
You can promote the application of biotechnology in Uganda by interesting students in your school into finding out and demonstrating local examples, such as those described above. This is possible, especially if you a member to any of the following school clubs:
- Science Club
- Environment Club
- Patriotism Club
- Wildlife Club
Becoming Wealthy or an Influential Person
Uganda’s potential in biotechnology remains largely untapped. This implies huge opportunities in the waiting for young people like you to conduct research and/or start businesses in biotechnology. Look around carefully for these opportunities. The subsections “What you need to consider”, on previous page, may provide you with hints on some of the opportunities. If you detect a research or business opportunity, and it sounds interesting to you, take it up as follows:
i. Write it down on paper.
ii. Revisit it after some time and see if it still makes sense.
iii. If the idea still makes sense, get more information about it through reading or asking others.
iv. Use that information to refine your idea so that is becomes clearer to yourself.
v. Keep it for an appropriate time.
In brief, you can seize that opportunity while you are still at school, then turn it into a business or research career (knowledge-generation) after completing school or during long school holidays. This is one of the most commendable paths towards becoming wealthy or an influential person in Uganda.
By reading this interesting story and changing accordingly, you will become valuable to efforts developing the biotechnology sector of your country.
Careers relevant in Biotechnology
If you want to establish whether or not biotechnology is an area you could work in after finishing school, read this interesting story. Some of the careers through which one can participate in biotechnology in Uganda include:
| Career | Description |
| Animal scientist | -Works to develop better ways of making meat, poultry, eggs and milk. They also inspect and grade food products. |
| Biochemist | -Studies the chemical building blocks and components of living organisms, as well as their functioning and physical qualities. |
| Biologist | -Studies the origin, relationships, development, anatomy, functions, heredity and other basic characteristics of plant, animal and microbial life. |
| Botanist | -Studies a whole range of plant organisms; algae, fungi, mosses, ferns, gymnosperms and flowering plants. |
| Crop scientist/Agronomist | -Helps farmers grow more and better food, but while preserving our natural resources. |
| Ecologist | -Studies the interactions between living organisms and their environment, and between the organisms themselves. |
| Entomologist | -Studies insects, especially those of vital importance to man, such as vectors and pests. |
| Environmental scientist | -Finds and fixes pollution and other environmental problems. |
| Geneticist | -Studies the way hereditary qualities are transmitted in living organisms. |
| Horticulturist | -Involved in the growing, selling and maintenance of plants for indoor and outdoor usage. |
| Molecular biologist/biotechnologist | -Develops methods to control biological processes for use in industry, agriculture, forestry, horticulture and breeding. |
| Parasitologist | -Studies organisms that use man or other animals as hosts for their survival. |
| Physiologist | -Studies the normal functioning of living organisms. |
| Teacher | -Helps children learn how to read, write, do mathematics, and much more. |
| Veterinarian | -Takes care of sick and injured animals. |