Curricula and Learning Links - Career Exploration
Gnotobiotic Technician
by Rose
What do you do in this job?
Raised mice or rats in huge plastic bubbles. The animals were in individual boxes with a cage top and water bottle. The box is about the size of a shoebox. The animals are bred very, very carefully to maintain the exact same genetic makeup generation after generation. That way researchers do not have the animal's genetics as a variable and experiments can be repeated over and over. We worked in a large room with many of these plastic bubbles. The animals were shipped all over the world to every major research institute you can think of, including NASA.
There is also the option of raising them in a trailer sized building that is completely germ free. The animals are not in plastic bubbles. The worker has to shower and put on special clothes before entering.
Why is it interesting? What makes it rewarding?
The interest was in the concentration required to keep it all straight If two animals got mixed up, it meant getting rid of all the animals in the bubble. That means a LOT of money is lost.
While the use of animals for research is controversial, this work was rewarding in that it had direct implications for the improved health of countless people.
How do you become qualified for this job?
This is a job for someone who is EXTREMELY organized and detailed. VERY accurate records are essential. A job for someone who likes some social chit chat and interaction during the workday. Who likes to work with some autonomy and who enjoys animals. (The rats are kinda cute. They look like little puppies when they are young.)
Find more free curricula and resources on HomeschoolChristian.com's Curricula Page Index!
See more Career Resources.
