Science" Next Topic Addressed in SSU's "Beyond 2000: A Journey into the Millennium" Lecture Series on September 30.

SALISBURY, MD--Not only is the new millennium important as a milestone of human progress, but is also important because of the sheer numbers that it will welcome--nearly six billion human inhabitants of planet Earth.

The Salisbury State University 1998 Fall Lecture Series, Beyond 2000: A Journey into the Millennium, will follow the National Geographic's format of inquiry into six broad topics that will be of utmost concern to humanity in the next millennium: Science, Exploration, Biodiversity, World Population, Physical Work and Human Culture.

Dr. S. Gaylen Bradley from the University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute will represent the area of Science in the millennium in his presentation, Application of Biotechnology, on Wednesday, September 30, at 7:30 p.m. at Salisbury State University. Free and open to the public his presentation is in the Wicomico Room of the Guerrieri University Center.

The promise of biotechnology is great, but in which areas are its applications sound public policy?, said Bradley. The current population of six billion is projected to increase to 12 billion early in the 21st century. It is estimated that half of the current six billion people are undernourished and have inadequate healthcare. There is no doubt that we have the biotechnological capability to feed 12 to 20 billion people, but do we want to? Does crowding have psychological and sociological effects that outweigh our ability to feed and immunize a growing population?

Biotechnology, said Bradley, is a genie out of the lamp with unlimited power to benefit mankind.

The debate on applications of biotechnology has begun, but it is the application whose merit should be assessed, not the science and technology that makes it possible. Whether or not it is a worthy societal goal to select gender, hair color or stature of a child is matter of legitimate concern and debate, said Bradley.

For more information on the Millennium Series or a complete listing of fall 1998 cultural events at the University, contact the SSU Public Relations Office at 410-543-6030.