Why is comparative biology so important now?
The 21st century has been called the “Century of Biology.” Sequencing of the genome in humans and select other species has catalyzed entirely new research directions. At the same time we are just beginning to appreciate and understand the tremendous complexity and diversity of life at all levels—from genes, to anatomy, and behavior—and the critical role of organisms in ecosystems. Bringing these specific research areas together in a single area of study – comparative biology – promises to give us a broader, more meaningful understanding of life on Earth and provide a foundation for our effort to secure a sustainable environmental future. An improved knowledge of the “tree of life” in all its complexity is a key to dealing with the especially urgent challenges that come with the loss of species due to the destruction or disruption of natural habitats. There is a growing need in academia, industry, government, and medicine for rigorously trained biologists to understand and interpret the
