This is the first session of a day-long symposium on the development of biotechnology, specifically covering the 1950s through 1980s. This symposium was presented jointly by the Chemical Heritage Foundation (now the Science History Institute) and the Biomolecular Sciences Initiative.

Arnold Thackray, president of the Chemical Heritage Foundation, provides a brief introduction. Everett Mendelsohn explains the goals, theme, and schedule of the event and introduces each speaker. Charles Weiner presents on "the big picture": the story of biotechnology starting with the discovery of DNA through the 1980s, including the 1975 Asilomar Conference on Recombinant DNA. Arthur Kornberg discusses the scientific foundations of biochemistry and biotechnology starting in the late 19th century. Stanley Cohen covers how microbiology and plasmid biology lead to the development of biotechnology. Paul Berg introduces the public policy debate around the beginnings of the field in the 1970s. Maxine Singer picks up the narrative with policy and public perception following the Asilomar conference in the 70s and 80s.