Many opportunities exist for the application of synthetic biodegradable polymers in the biomedical area particularly in the fields of tissue engineering and controlled drug delivery. Degradation is important in biomedicine for many reasons. Degradation of the polymeric implant means surgical intervention may not be required in order to remove the implant at the end of its functional life, eliminating the need for a second surgery. In tissue engineering, biodegradable polymers can be designed such to approximate tissues, providing a polymer scaffold that can withstand mechanical stresses, provide a suitable surface for cell attachment and growth, and degrade at a rate that allows the load to be transferred to the new tissue. In the field of controlled drug delivery, biodegradable polymers offer tremendous potential either as a drug delivery system alone or in conjunction to functioning as a medical device. In the development of applications of biodegradable polymers, the chemistry of some polymers including synthesis and degradation is reviewed below. A description of how properties can be controlled by proper synthetic controls such as copolymer composition, special requirements for processing and handling, and some of the commercial devices based on these materials are discussed. Polymer chemistry and material selection When investigating the selection of the polymer for biomedical applications, important criteria to consider are; The mechanical properties must match the application and remain sufficiently strong until the surrounding tissue has healed. The degradation time must match the time required. It does not invoke a toxic response. It is metabolized in the body after fulfilling its purpose. It is easily processable in the final product form with an acceptable shelf life and easily sterilized. Mechanical performance of a biodegradable polymer depends on various factors which include monomer selection, initiator selection, process conditions and the presence of additives. These factors influence the polymers crystallinity, melt and glass transition temperatures and molecular weight. Each of these factors needs to be assessed on how they affect the biodegradation of the polymer. Biodegradation can be accomplished by synthesizing polymers with hydrolytically unstable linkages in the backbone. This is commonly achieved by the use of chemical functional groups such as esters, anhydrides, orthoesters and amides. Most biodegradable polymers are synthesized by ring opening polymerization. Processing Biodegradable polymers can be melt processed by conventional means such as compression or injection molding. Special consideration must be given to the need to exclude moisture from the material. Care must be