Advances in science and technology could provide Bermuda with alternative industries and employment for thousands of people, according to the chairman of a new scientific umbrella group.

Adolph Luttke, chairman of the newly formed Bermuda Association for the Advancement of Science and Technology (BAAST), was speaking to the Hamilton Rotary Club on Tuesday.

He said there were 3,000 careers in Bermuda in science, yet just 25 percent of scientific jobs were held by Bermudians.

Future industries, such as fish or scallop farming, could emerge through business and scientific cooperation.

And he said Bermuda was a `natural laboratory' with secrets that science could tap leading to solutions to a range of worldwide problems.

Sea sponges in Harrington Sound are already been studied for possible powers to combat diseases such as heart disease and arthritis, said Mr. Luttke.

BAAST will be officially launched tomorrow, but yesterday Mr. Luttke, who is general manager of Corange Ltd., said the organisation's mission was to "promote and advance awareness, understanding, appreciation and application of science and technology in Bermuda''.

It wants to tell students about opportunties in science and technology in Bermuda, create working alliances within the scientific community and promote Bermuda's links with the international scientific community.

BAAST will also provide a single voice for organisations such as the Bio Station, the Maritime Museum and the Bermuda College, which have all benefited from Corange sponsorship.

"It was through these various business-related and philanthropic initiatives that I first started to fully recognise the exceptional scientific and technological talent working in this small community,'' said Mr. Luttke.

"Yet for all the exciting research going on at each of these facilities there was no single voice, no central platform from which these scientific entities could act, share ideas, or come together.'' As a result, added Mr. Luttke, there was no talk about ongoing studies or discoveries or the 3,000 careers available in Bermuda in scientific fields.

Only a quarter of science jobs are held by Bermudians, he said.

He added: "The fact is that in today's highly sophisticated age, there are more and more opportunities for young people in the field of science and technology.

"At the same time there are fewer jobs today that require unskilled labour.

More jobs require technical and scientific training and thinking.'' Mr. Luttke appealed to parents, educators and students to recognise the opportunities available in fields ranging from marine biology, engineering, chemistry, computers and pharmacy.

As well as jobs, science could also provide Bermuda with other industries and research possibilities.

Corange researchers in Germany are studying the Harrington Sound sponge which could have powers to combat diseases such as arthritis and heart disease.

"While the results are far from conclusive, the findings are exciting. Who knows what other hidden treasures Bermuda's waters may hold? "Next to the Galapagos, Bermuda is one of the most isolated geographic ecosystems in the world.

"There are secrets here that science may yet uncover. Answers to the future may be right here in this natural laboratory and sanctuary.'' CLUB CLB