Inspecting ears of hybrid seed corn
Filling seed bags
Hybrid seed plant
Portrait of Henry A. Wallace
Iowa State University Campus
Carver and Wallace, Iowa Scientists
George Washington Carver
Portrait of George Washington CarverLife Sciences
In
Iowa, businesses in the life sciences industry grow from strong roots of a
storied past. Some of the greatest achievements in the world of life sciences
have occurred in Iowa. Important research, innovation, invention, discovery,
development and even a Nobel Prize are fruits from those who have labored
in this field. Expect more Iowa accomplishments in the years to come as this
field is rapidly growing. The impact on Iowa’s economy is significant
and could change the face of Iowa business and industry.
Biotech and More
The life sciences are defined as
the study of living things such as plants, animals and people. A variety of
businesses can be found in Iowa’s life sciences industry. They provide
goods and services that help things live. Botany, genetics
and biotechnology, pharmacology
and medicine, biology, microbiology, chemistry, anatomy and physiology, ecology
and others are fields within the life sciences.
Many of the businesses and industries within the life sciences have evolved
from agriculture. Businesses have developed that help farmers contend with
weather problems, insects, weeds and plant diseases. Cargill, Monsanto, Garst,
and Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. are all Iowa companies that use knowledge
of life sciences to make farming a little less difficult.
Iowans Who Made a Difference
Research and innovation in the life
sciences have had an impact on the industry as well. Iowa has had more than
its share of creative and talented minds. George Washington Carver was a former
slave who became an educator, scientist, business leader and renowned agriculturist.
Former vice president and secretary of agriculture, Henry Wallace, devoted
research relevant to the improvement of corn. His work on hybridization turned
into one of Iowa’s largest life science companies, Pioneer Hi-Bred International,
Inc. Dr. Norman Borlaug won the Nobel Prize for his genetics research that
made wheat more disease resistant and saved millions of people from starvation.
Some of Iowa's public institutions have had a significant impact on the life
sciences industry. Universities in Iowa were early contributors to this field.
The first public veterinary college in the U.S. was established at Iowa State
University. The fourth state-university-run pharmacy program in the nation
opened at the University of Iowa. Lee E. Travis and his research team at a
University of Iowa laboratory invented the electroencephalograph (EEG) and
opened the door to production and sale of medical equipment. The Center for
Biocatalysis and Bioprocessing, founded at University of Iowa, conducts research
and development in the life sciences field. At the University of Iowa Heart
Care, the first cardiac specialists worldwide used magnetic guiding systems
for heart problems.
Some Problems
Some advances in the life sciences
field have generated concerns. Biotechnology, and especially genetic engineering
(GE), has the power to affect every aspect of our lives. The medicines we
take, the food we eat, the water we drink, even the clothes we wear, can all
be changed through genetic engineering. Along with all the potential, however,
come serious concerns that cannot be overlooked. What if a genetically engineered
crop damages the environment it grows in? What if foods from these crops trigger
allergies? What if a bacteria engineered to clean up oil spills also harms
the wildlife that come into contact with it?
The life sciences industry in Iowa has built upon a storied past in agriculture,
research and innovation. Major world-renowned companies have developed right
here in Iowa. Some of the new technologies that are emerging can potentially
change our lives. It is a growing field, and more Iowa companies will emerge
to lead advances in the industry.
