Preface

The 20th century might have belonged to physics, but the 21st will be about the biosciences and their impact on human health and well-being. This diverse collection of technologies is changing our world in dramatic ways, with the potential for even greater impact in the years ahead. In addition to improving human health, many other industries will be impacted by the biosciences—agriculture, forestry, food processing, and legal services, among others. The influence is also being felt in energy, cosmetics, supermarkets, the military, household appliances, information services, homeland security, and so on.