Detail

The year 2007 has been designated the Year of Biology. As a basic science regarding the origin, evolution, diversity of living organisms, as well as the structure of the ecosystem, biology addresses the phenomena related to life such as heredity, physiology, reproduction, behavior, etc. The destiny of the 21st century world will be determined by those who preempt the state-of-the-art sciences, among which, biotechnology is becoming an important buzz word. Biology is the very basic discipline upon which biotechnology is based. The Korean government has designated 2007 as the Year of Biology in an effort to promote the significance of biology, a kind of basic science, and to elicit the Korean people’s interest in it. The Korean Association of Biological Sciences is holding various events under the theme of “Biology, the World of Fantasy that Opens Up the Future” such as the “BioFestival” scheduled to be held nationwide, a “Special International Exhibition on Biotechnology and DNA/Mutation,” “Biology Merges with Culture,” conferences, symposia and, lectures aimed at general public, and others. The new stamp issued to commemorate 2007 as the Year of Biology shows, in silhouette, chromosome and DNA, together with a sunflower, green frog, brown-banded butterflyfish and stag beetle. Appearing on the background of the small sheet to show animal lineage (origin and evolutionary process) are paramecium and euglena, hydra, squid, earthworm, butterfly, starfish, fish, salamander, turtle, crane, eagle, Jindo-dog, and the human being.