The oceans carry unlimited potential, but their study cannot be limited solely
to examining the waters and the life in them as people generally believe. As
much as possible, it is important for research to attempt to use marine
organisms in a simple way that generates high amounts of value added. First,
it is essential to understand the basic mechanisms and physiological characteristics of marine organisms, acquiring an ample store of information that
can then be comprehensively until it reaches the realm of marine biotechnology. In other words, marine biotechnology is field of research toward
gaining greater value from the use of marine organisms. When we eat fish
caught in the ocean, that is one form of using marine life. But marine
biotechnology is not merely about such simple uses. As a natural science,
biotechnology offers many ideas for application in daily life. When we raise
fish in a single location where it can be caught using a single method, we are
hoping for large fish rather than small ones. Research on methods to make
them grow quickly, devices to take advantage of the fish’s habits to make
them easier to catch, and efforts to prevent them from destroying the ocean
environment all fall into this category. In other words, it would be more
appropriate to regard the many different forms of technology inspired by this
idea as falling in the domain of marine biotechnology.
On the whole, marine biotechnology research has a shorter history than studies of
land-based organisms, and many things that we cannot yet imagine are believed to
exist. We are unlikely to efficiently explore the as yet unknown possibilities simply
by grabbing a shovel and diving into the ocean in search of them. We must have a
sense that allows us to take fullest advantage of the existing information and be
judicious in our searching. What meaning does it hold if we simply overlook a
marine organism that could potentially be of great value? The process of finding
fascinating organisms, exploring their physiological characteristics, investigating the
bioactive substances contained within them, and mapping their genes can be very
time-consuming, even tedious work. Because it takes so long to arrive at the actual
application stage using the current blind, experimentation-based investigation
methods, it is common for researchers to give up midway through. This is why
research necessitates a proactive stance of quickly identifying the possibilities of a
discovered organism and seeking out a wise approach. In addition to technologies
specific to marine biotechnology, importation of technologies from other fields is
also essential for efficient marine biotechnology studies. Because marine biotechnology is fundamentally focused on marine organisms, it requires methods from
chemistry, physics, and engineering in addition to those of biology. In practical
terms, marine biotechnology is rooted in biology—one often sees examples of
researchers delving into biological aspects. At the same time, it is also essential to
development technology from an engineering perspective to provide support. As an
example, it would be beyond even the most committed biologist to launch a satellite
to study marine yields. In this case, the assistance of engineers would be required.
1.4 Marine Life Sciences: The Future Is in Sight
9
to examining the waters and the life in them as people generally believe. As
much as possible, it is important for research to attempt to use marine
organisms in a simple way that generates high amounts of value added. First,
it is essential to understand the basic mechanisms and physiological characteristics of marine organisms, acquiring an ample store of information that
can then be comprehensively until it reaches the realm of marine biotechnology. In other words, marine biotechnology is field of research toward
gaining greater value from the use of marine organisms. When we eat fish
caught in the ocean, that is one form of using marine life. But marine
biotechnology is not merely about such simple uses. As a natural science,
biotechnology offers many ideas for application in daily life. When we raise
fish in a single location where it can be caught using a single method, we are
hoping for large fish rather than small ones. Research on methods to make
them grow quickly, devices to take advantage of the fish’s habits to make
them easier to catch, and efforts to prevent them from destroying the ocean
environment all fall into this category. In other words, it would be more
appropriate to regard the many different forms of technology inspired by this
idea as falling in the domain of marine biotechnology.
On the whole, marine biotechnology research has a shorter history than studies of
land-based organisms, and many things that we cannot yet imagine are believed to
exist. We are unlikely to efficiently explore the as yet unknown possibilities simply
by grabbing a shovel and diving into the ocean in search of them. We must have a
sense that allows us to take fullest advantage of the existing information and be
judicious in our searching. What meaning does it hold if we simply overlook a
marine organism that could potentially be of great value? The process of finding
fascinating organisms, exploring their physiological characteristics, investigating the
bioactive substances contained within them, and mapping their genes can be very
time-consuming, even tedious work. Because it takes so long to arrive at the actual
application stage using the current blind, experimentation-based investigation
methods, it is common for researchers to give up midway through. This is why
research necessitates a proactive stance of quickly identifying the possibilities of a
discovered organism and seeking out a wise approach. In addition to technologies
specific to marine biotechnology, importation of technologies from other fields is
also essential for efficient marine biotechnology studies. Because marine biotechnology is fundamentally focused on marine organisms, it requires methods from
chemistry, physics, and engineering in addition to those of biology. In practical
terms, marine biotechnology is rooted in biology—one often sees examples of
researchers delving into biological aspects. At the same time, it is also essential to
development technology from an engineering perspective to provide support. As an
example, it would be beyond even the most committed biologist to launch a satellite
to study marine yields. In this case, the assistance of engineers would be required.
1.4 Marine Life Sciences: The Future Is in Sight
9