ASM Opens Meeting with Warning About Biodiversity

The American Society for Microbiology (ASM) opened their general meeting in Toronto, Ontario, Canada on Monday, May 21, 2007, with a warning about protecting biodiversity, from keynote speaker Dr. Edward Wilson (Harvard). In his opening address, Dr. Wilson emphasized the importance of microorganisms and diversity of species to global health. Many microorganisms cannot be cultured using traditional laboratory methods, which makes it difficult to study them. Although new techniques in biotechnology, such as gene cloning and sequencing protocols, are making it easier to study these microorganisms and their individual functions in various ecosystems, species are disappearing as fast as we can discover them. Dr. Wilson is an eminent biologist and two-time Pulitzer prize winner. He is a powerful voice and advocate for the preservation of species in order to maintain biodiversity and the health of our planet.

_{Sources: Anita Manning, May 22, 2007. Scientists: Exploring Biodiversity is Vital for Humans, Environment. USA Today.com.}

University of Nebraska-Lincoln State Museum - Divison of Entomology. Scarab Workers: Edward O. Wilson.