Dear All,

	How can anybody possibly learn anything from immuno-staining in a machine?
 How do they know it worked?  If it didn't work then which step created the
cock-up?  I worked in a hospital histo lab for 2.5 years, for most of that
time we had a brand new automated immunostainer sitting in the corner
unused.  Our Scientist who did our immuno could work faster than the machine.

	I have been to 3 or 4 immuno training courses of various types over the
past few years & the only one that even mentioned using a machine was a
product demo of the automated immunostainer.

	I suppose its like using kits, you have to trust the quality control of
the kit maker instead of knowing exactly what you (or your co-worker)
actually did.  What happens when the kit dies, or runs out, every body sits
around looking silly until the next order comes in?  Modern technology, &
the perception that outsourcing saves money is leading to a serious dumbing
down of health & research laboratories all over!  

	I'm guilty too, I let people run thier samples through the instruments in
my lab with just enough knowledge to get them through.  But how do you
squeeze years of knowledge & practical experience between someone's ears
when they only want a set of results to justify their thesis or paper?

	In time there will be a drastic lack of appropiately skilled technicians &
scientists, then all of a sudden we will be the most important people on
Earth until the next time people forget what we do.

	Regards

	Rob W.


R. Wadley, B.App.Sc, M.L.S
Laboratory Manager
Cellular Analysis Facility
School of Microbiology & Immunology
UNSW, New South Wales, Australia, 2052
Ph (BH) 	+61 (2) 9385 3517
Ph (AH)	+61 (2) 9555 1239
Fax 	+61 (2) 9385 1591
E-mail	r.wadley@unsw.edu.au
www	http://www.unsw.edu.au/clients/microbiology/CAF.html
	(Under development)