what schools actually offer genetic engineering?

cellardweller
Wed, 15 Jul 2009 10:17:05 +0000

Biotechnology or synthetic biology is the underlying science in genetic engineering but that does not make it an engineering discipline. You can understand R-DNA by studying biochemistry and biotechnology. Therefore a foundation in biotechnology is necessary for genetic engineering just as foundation physics is required for electrical engineering or mechanical engineering to build electrical or mechanical systems. But it is not sufficient. If you want to build upon the science, or “program the R-DNA” to build tangible products that is the field of biological engineering. It is fast emerging discipline that barely existed 5 years ago which explains why none of the traditional lists of majors cover the discipline. None of the schools listed by Collegehelp would provide the training to actually use biotechnology to “create” synthetic biological systems.

BME has very little to do with genetic or biological engineering. It is the application of any engineering discipline to the field of medicine specifically. It is not a separate engineering discipline but builds upon traditional engineering disciplines such as mechanical or electrical engineering. It is not specifically built upon a foundation in the biological sciences.