By Tamara Keith, Public Affairs
Posted March 17, 1999

Three Berkeley professors were heard by radio audiences across the country Friday, March 12 in a live noon-hour discussion of the biotechnology revolution on National Public Radio's "Talk of theNation: Science Friday."

The featured guests were Daniel Koshland, professor emeritus of molecular and cell biology; Edward Penhoet, dean of the school of public health and professor of public health and molecular and cell biology; and Paul Rabinow, professor of anthropology.

All three professors have been deeply involved in biotechnology for many years. They spoke with guest host Richard Harris from the KPFA studios in Berkeley.

"From cloned mice to insect-resistant crops, the biotechnology revolution is here ... changing the way we think about biology, medicine and agriculture," Harris said in his introduction ... "In this hour we'll talk with some of biotech's pioneers -- and observers -- on the history and future of biotechnology."

The NPR conversation highlighted the Bay Area's role as the birthplace of biotechnology and Berkeley's critical participation in its inception and growth.

The Berkeley panelists talked at length about the ethical issues surrounding biotechnology.

Penhoet, who founded Chiron Corporation and was its CEO until 1998, provided a unique perspective as a participant in the biotechnology revolution on the industry side. All three guests talked about how start-up biotech companies like Chiron have changed the culture of both academia and industry.

March 17 - 30, 1999 (Volume 27, Number 27)
Copyright 1999, The Regents of the University of California.
Produced and maintained by the Office of Public Affairs at UC Berkeley.
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