BIOTECHNOLOGY

What is biotechnology? Well, if you’ve ever taken the antibiotic penicillin or eaten bread made with yeast, you’ve experienced it firsthand!

At its simplest, biotechnology is technology based on biology.

Biotechnology is technology that utilizes biological systems, living organisms or parts of this to develop or create different products

*Modern biotechnology provides breakthrough products and technologies to combat debilitating and rare diseases, reduce our environmental footprint, feed the hungry, use less and cleaner energy, and have safer, cleaner and more efficient industrial manufacturing processes.

*Biotechnology, through genetic engineering works directly with the genetic material of a cell..It was the understanding of DNA that paved the way for genetic engineering. The knowledge gained has allowed researchers to transfer genes between the cells of different organisms.

How does Biotechnology works?

*CUT and PASTE method:The actual transfer of a gene is carried out in a complex “cut and paste” procedure. Specialized enzymes are used to “cut” or remove a specific gene from one organism’s DNA, and then to “paste” or slice that gene back into the DNA of another organism. The gene can be inserted into another organism through a variety of techniques, depending upon the characteristics and properties of the recipient organism, and whether the organism is an animal, bacterium or a plant.

* PARTICLE GUN method:The second technique used to deliver genetically engineered DNA into plants is the DNA “particle gun” method. Tiny metal particles coated with genes with desired characteristics, such as improved nutritional value, are put into a particle gun and fired directly into plant cells. These genes are incorporated into the plant cell’s DNA, and the cells are then grown into full plants. The new characteristic is thereafter present in the whole plant.

• “Modern biotechnology” is used to distinguish newer applications of biotechnology, such as genetic engineering and cell fusion from more conventional methods such as breeding, or fermentation
• “Conventional breeding” or “selective breeding” means propagating plants or animals sexually, selecting for certain traits. Using selective cross-breeding, people can produce different varieties of plants and breeds of animals.
• GM stands for “genetically modified”. An organism, such as a plant, animal or bacterium, is considered genetically modified if its genetic material has been altered through any method, including conventional breeding. A “GMO” is a genetically modified organism.
• GE stands for “genetically engineered”. An organism is considered genetically engineered if it was modified using techniques that permit the direct transfer or removal of genes in that organism. Such techniques are also called recombinant DNA or rDNA techniques.
• “Transgenic” organisms have a gene from another organism moved into them
• Mutagenesis” is the use of methods to physically change or “mutate” the genetic sequence, without adding DNA from another organism. Various chemicals and ionizing radiation can be used to invoke these changes

Types of Biotechnology

1. Medical Biotechnology:

It is the use of cell and other cell material for the purpose of bettering the health of humans.Essentially,it is used for finding the cure of diseases as well as getting rid of and preventing diseases.

Examples:

• Vaccines
• Antibiotics

2.Agricultural Biotechnology:

It focuses on developing genetically modified plants for the purpose of increasing crop yields or introducing characteristics to those plants that provide them with an advantage growing in regions that places some kind of stress factor on plants namely weather and pests.

Examples:

• Pest resistant crops
• Plant and Animal breeding

Risks and Hazards of Biotechnology

Biotechnology may carry more risk than other scientific fields: microbes are tiny and difficult to detect, but the dangers are potentially vast! Further, engineered cells could divide on their own and spread in the wild with the possibility of far reaching consequences.

Biological Warfare:

Developed nations, and even impoverished ones, have the resources and know-how to produce bioweapons. For example, North Korea is rumored to have assembled an arsenal containing “anthrax, botulism, hemorrhagic fever, plague, smallpox, typhoid, and yellow fever,” ready in case of attack. It’s not unreasonable to assume that terrorists or other groups are trying to get their hands on bioweapons as well. Indeed, numerous instances of chemical or biological weapon use have been recorded, including the anthrax scare shortly after 9/11, which left 5 dead after the toxic cells were sent through the mail. And new gene editing technologies are increasing the odds that a hypothetical bioweapon targeted at a certain ethnicity, or even a single individual like a world leader, could one day become a reality

The cost to chemically manufacture strands of DNA is falling rapidly, meaning it may one day be affordable to ‘print’ deadly proteins or cells at home. And the openness of science publishing, which has been crucial to our rapid research advances, also means that anyone can freely Google the chemical details of deadly neurotoxins. In fact, the most controversial aspect of the supercharged influenza case was not that the experiments had been carried out, but that the researchers wanted to openly share the details.

Allergy: Allergy is associated with the consumption of genetically modified food, pharmaceuticals and recombinant proteins

Toxicity:Unpredictable gene expression may lead to serious illness and toxicity.

The pathogens, bearing drug resistance might be released in the environment.

Risk of interaction with non-target organism:

• Genetic pollution through pollens and seeds.
• Generation of new line viruses or other microorganisms.
• Transfer of foreign gene to naturally occurring organisms.

Risk for Agriculture:

• Generation or emergence of weeds or super weeds may occur. If some plants are GMOs and are sown in the field, it may overlap and interfere with the normal cultivated crops.
• Alteration of natural nutritional value of crops due to application of Recombinant DNA technology.
• Loss of biodiversity and reduction in the yield of crops.

Biotech movies

If this sparks curiosity in you about the dark truths of biotechnology then don’t forget to watch these top Biotech intimidating movies so you can learn more about biotech in the most entertaining way!

• Creation (2009)
• Blueprint (2003)
• Splice (2009)
• Elysium (2013)
• Awakenings (1990)
• Contagion (2011)
• Blade Runner 2049 (2017)
• Icarus (2017)
• Annihilation(2018)

Lets just hope whatever is going behind the doors of big creepy labs all around the world,humanity remains safe!