The Terminator, Sequencer and I

No! We are not connected or even distantly related. It just so happened that the three of us were at the same place at the same time by circumstances and what a  meeting it was. I had hoped to see these people at some point, more out of curiosity than anything else. I did get my chance finally with the event being the Bio 2008 International Convention that was held in San Diego with 20,000 people from all over the world and representing 45 states and 70 countries. This was an event of gigantic proportions with a meeting of minds, both of the business and scientific world. Being a Press Reporter I was able to attend the event and get some up, close pictures.

Arnold Schwarzenegger needs no introduction. Almost everyone around the world knows his name and is familiar with his “I’ll be back” and “Asta La Vista Baby!”…and who can forget his Tango in the movie True Lies?? Arnold is the twice elected governor of California; elected in 2003 and re-elected in 2006. A Republican, a very charismatic personality with a very distinct Austrian accent with a stage presence. His wife Maria Shriver is no stranger either. Coming from a legacy of the Kennedy clan she is a Democrat and the First Lady of California. A rare combination of strange bed-fellows in real life. She is a prolific writer , an award winning journalist and started the californiaVolunteers.org involved in a lot of social activities and charity.

 


Photos: Personal collection              Copyright © Blizzard, Sulekha 2008

In addition Arnold is a very progressive thinker and has often adapted liberal views and policies. Though the state of California has remained in the red in terms of deficit for a while he has tried to rope in and lure more investors here for a good measure. His speech was very interesting in itself and quite humorous as he took a dig at the Democratic Party and called it a ‘sickness’ that needed to be cured. Considering that his wife is a democrat he said that he loved her and took her in with her ‘sickness’ and ‘health’ (referring to the Democrats) and that he was hoping the scientists would find a cure one day for the same. He went on to talk about scientific contibutions around the world and its imapct. He spoke about his father-in-law being affected by Alzheimers disease and the millions of people around the world too who are affected and are hoping for a cure .
 

Photos: Personal collection             Copyright © Blizzard, Sulekha 2008

An excerpt from the Convention speech if anyone is interested

 ------

Craig. J. Venter on the other hand needs no introduction either to the scientific community who recognize him very well. His name has always conjured up awe and inspiration from scientists, for his maverick stance on scientific issues and on how he set aside his own personal issues and rode success like nobody else. Initially, he was an ex-surfer and a Vietnam War veteran, who had failed miserably in school. He had contemplated committing suicide in Vietnam, by walking into the sea but changed his mind and walked back to create history for himself. 
In his book “A Life Decoded” he laid bare all his life and his rise to stardom. He went on to do his PhD in Physiology and Pharmacology and further on joined NIH. He founded the Institute of Genomic Research and was the pioneer in mapping the human genome along with Francis Collins. He is currently the president of Craig. J. Venter Institute and continuing to do ground-breaking scientific contributions to the world. 

 Photos: Personal collection             Copyright © Blizzard, Sulekha 2008

 Being in the scientific research field for more than 18 years, I had been fascinated with this particular scientist who with his maverick streak had made things happen. He was in and out of controversies but always succeeded in making bright, innovative mega-contributions to the scientific world. He made it easier for the rest of the world to follow through and produce more amazing discoveries  regarding  human diseases and medicine. His speech was excellent and inspiring to the thousand and more people who had assembled there to hear him talk.

In addition awards were distributed to young scientists from all over the world for their innovative research and several of them were Asians (with four Indians). The best research effort went to an Indian girl from Australia. 


Photos: Personal collection                Copyright © Blizzard, Sulekha 2008
International Junior Science Nominees

Several prominent personalities from the Indian Biotech field and the Government (DBT) represented India for a Panel discussion. The discussion mainly centered on luring investors to the growing Biotech Sector in India poised to become as prominent as the IT Sector.

Indian biotechnology sector crossed the $3 billion milestone in revenues and is rapidly growing at 37% in the last couple of years.  A policy review recently envisages an annual turnover mark of USD 5 Billion for the Biotech Sector by year 2010. Over 200 multinational companies have set up base here and a great deal of continued activity is being seen. 



Photo: Personal collection      Copyright © Blizzard, Sulekha 2008

Hari Bhartia, Co-Chairman Jubilant Organosys Ltd ;Rashmi Barbhaiya, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Advinus Therapeutics Pvt, Ltd; Swati Piramal, Director- Strategic Alliances & Communications, Nicholas Piramal India Ltd; N.S.Samant, Joint Secretary, Department of Biotechnology, Government of India; Ramesh L Adige, Executive Director, Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd

(Unedited...)