Biotechnology Issues

In this article, I will discuss origins of biotechnology, Biotechnological practice, cell biochemistry and fermentation procedures, cell chemistry, Recombinant DNA, Application and area of Research and biotechnology ethical issues.


What is Biotechnology ?
It is a method of using living organisms or parts of organisms to create new products and processes which are useful and enhance the productivity and other qualities and which are more beneficial to society. Due to genetics and the genome project now scientist can also alter living organisms by genetic engineering. Due to expansion of sophisticated biological research techniques, the outcome of this are applied to traditional sectors of the economy.
Role of biotechnology and biotechnology methods in key sectors
Biotechnology methods are applicable to a wide range of industries such as agriculture, mining, medicine, food processing, manufacturing and the environment. Due to advances made in biotechnology research, it is expected that biotechnology impacts and consequences may have far reaching outcomes to the economy as well as to the environment. It has the potential to improve productivity and also to create new beneficial products in the future if these techniques are applied carefully and ethically and regulated appropriately.
In Biotechnology DNA probe is a technique used in biotechnology. This technology is used to identify whether patients have inherited genetic diseases such as cystic fibrosis, thalassaemia, muscular dystrophy and Huntington's chorea. In addition the DNA fingerprints from blood or hair from an individual can easily identify crime identification of a criminal act. That is it is a useful technique in identifying tge puzzle of who committed the crime.
Genetic engineering is another technology, which can be used to transfer useful genes from plants and animals to bacteria to produce large quantities of biotechnology-based therapeutics for the treatment of animal and human diseases. For example insulin is produced in large quantities using this technique to cure diabetes.
Genetically modified bacteria also can produce enzymes which can be used food technology for appearance, flavour or aroma. In addition, these generically engineered bacteria also can be used in manufacturing process to control temperature and there fore reduce waste. As well, it is also a useful technique in mining industry to make the ore sulfides oxidized and extract minerals such as iron and gold. These techniques can be used to genetically modify bacteria and they can be used to treat contaminated soil or waste chemicals.
Genetic engineering techniques also can improve productivity in agriculture. For example genetically modified cotton produces a pesticide which can kill leaf eating insects by producing the pesticide in its leaves. As well, this technique also can be used for better wool production by producing transgenic sheep by genetically introducing new traits in to animals. That is genetic engineering can be used to increase productivity and there fore reduce environmental issues arising from using chemical pesticides and fertilizers.
The tissue culture, which is a biotechnology technique, can be sued to produce large quantities of the plants with the same genetic makeup. In addition, cell lines of micro-algae can be used to produce food ingredients like polysaccharides for use in food processing and other useful chemicals such as beta-carotene and docosahexanic acid.
Above all, biotechnology is a fundamental tool in medicine. For examples cultures of skin cells are used grow skin and used for grafting on to burns. Researchers are examine whether they can use borne marrow as a raw material to produce bones which can be used in accident victims to replace broken bones or bones which become brittle due to diseases. Complete sequencing of the human genome also is providing a powerful technique or tool for the diagnosis of diseases and the development of new drugs and treatment.
The major biotechnology techniques are as follows:
DNA Probe
Monoclonal Antibodies
Genetic Engineering/ Selection of normally occurring organisms
Tissue culture