The Biotechnology Revolution: A Primer for Pharmacists

Abstract

The Human Genome Project, an international effort, is ushering in an era of molecular medicine with newer and better approaches to the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of human genetic diseases. Biotechnology, or genetic engineering, can be defined as the alteration of cells or biological molecules for specific applications. Biotechnology has contributed — and will contribute — to many major medical advances. To respond to the biotechnology revolution in health care, pharmacists must become familiar with this new field. With a state-of-the-art understanding of disease processes and drug effects, pharmacists will be ideally prepared to educate patients about disease states and the roles of old and new drugs in treatment plans.