CH 14 BIOTECHNOLOGY
What is biotechnology?
The exploitation of biological processes for industrial and other purposes, especially the
genetic manipulation of microorganisms for the production of food, drugs and other goods.
Biotechnology uses genetic engineering to combine DNA of different organisms, even different
species. When DNA is transferred from 1 organism to another, recipients are called transgenic
or GMOs. Applications of modern biotechnology increases our understanding of gene function,
treating disease, improving agriculture and solving crimes.
How is biotechnology used for medical diagnosis and treatment?
Inherited diseases are caused by defective alleles of crucial genes. Biotechnology
including PCR, gel electrophoresis and DNA microarrays may be used to diagnose genetic
disorders (sickle-cell). Genetic engineering may be used to insert functional alleles into normal
cells, stem cells, or even eggs to correct genetic disorders. Biotechnology may be used to
identify microbes that cause infectious diseases. Biotechnology is widely used to produce
medicines and vaccines.
What are the major ethical issues of biotechnology?
2 major reasons: food safety and potentially harmful effects on environment. In general,
GMOs contain proteins that are harmless to mammals, readily digested or are already found in
similar foods. Environment effects of GMOs are difficult to predict. Foreign genes can be
transferred to wild plants, with resulting damage to agriculture and disruption of ecosystems. If
they escape, highly mobile transgenic animals might displace their wild relatives.
As technology improve, parents will be faced with the decisions to correct or enhance
the genomes of their children.
6 areas of biotechnology
In nature
o Sexual reproduction
o Bacterial transformation
o Viral transferred
In forensic science Tools
o PCR for DNA replication
o STRs to identify individuals for their DNA
o Gel electrophoresis for DNA segment separation
o DNA probes for labelling specific nucleotide sequences
o DNA profile for DNA identification
What is biotechnology?
The exploitation of biological processes for industrial and other purposes, especially the
genetic manipulation of microorganisms for the production of food, drugs and other goods.
Biotechnology uses genetic engineering to combine DNA of different organisms, even different
species. When DNA is transferred from 1 organism to another, recipients are called transgenic
or GMOs. Applications of modern biotechnology increases our understanding of gene function,
treating disease, improving agriculture and solving crimes.
How is biotechnology used for medical diagnosis and treatment?
Inherited diseases are caused by defective alleles of crucial genes. Biotechnology
including PCR, gel electrophoresis and DNA microarrays may be used to diagnose genetic
disorders (sickle-cell). Genetic engineering may be used to insert functional alleles into normal
cells, stem cells, or even eggs to correct genetic disorders. Biotechnology may be used to
identify microbes that cause infectious diseases. Biotechnology is widely used to produce
medicines and vaccines.
What are the major ethical issues of biotechnology?
2 major reasons: food safety and potentially harmful effects on environment. In general,
GMOs contain proteins that are harmless to mammals, readily digested or are already found in
similar foods. Environment effects of GMOs are difficult to predict. Foreign genes can be
transferred to wild plants, with resulting damage to agriculture and disruption of ecosystems. If
they escape, highly mobile transgenic animals might displace their wild relatives.
As technology improve, parents will be faced with the decisions to correct or enhance
the genomes of their children.
6 areas of biotechnology
In nature
o Sexual reproduction
o Bacterial transformation
o Viral transferred
In forensic science Tools
o PCR for DNA replication
o STRs to identify individuals for their DNA
o Gel electrophoresis for DNA segment separation
o DNA probes for labelling specific nucleotide sequences
o DNA profile for DNA identification
