Biotechnology and its Significance

Biotechnology is probing deep into the fundamentals of living organisms, the DNA templates used to make the cells that constitute our bodies and the genes in the DNA that determine our capabilities. Genetic engineering might even enhance those capabilities.

Biotechnology started with biology. It is not really new as people had acquired biological knowledge quite early through observations. They domesticated animals, cultivated plants and even adopted interbreeding to improve animals and crops. Biotechnology essentially involves modifying the behavior of living organisms to make them more useful.

What is new is the more purposeful use of biological knowledge by pharmaceutical and other industries. Innovations such as antibiotics, genetic therapy and molecular biotechnology have already delivered major benefits. Modern biotechnology works with cells, particularly with the DNA inside the cells.

There are simple organisms with a single cell, and complex organisms like humans with many specialized cells. The DNA inside the cells provides the templates to create the specialized cells of the body that become organs like eyes and liver.

It is the genes in the DNA that determine the characteristics of the organism including its ability to resist disease. The human genome project is a bioinformatics application to map all human genes. Genetic engineering seeks to change these characteristics by modifying genes.

Biomedical use such as genetic therapy is only one field of biotechnology. Other fields include industrial applications for processes like fermentation, agricultural use for crop improvement, criminological purposes such as DNA identification and pollution control through biological agents.

Biotechnology Resources

Biotechnology is not exactly a new development and discussions about it on the web are innumerable. The following are just a few good samples.

• Discusses responsible future use of biotechnology
• A sometimes humorous look at biotechnology

Modern Biotechnology Products in the Market

• The genes of the bacterium E.coli has been modified so that it can produce human interferon, insulin and growth hormone (among other chemicals and enzymes) in vast quantities
• Plants have been modified to increase crop yields and resistance to environmental stressors, such as pests and drought
• DNA tests can identify people like criminals who have left some DNA material at the crime scene
• Organisms that can break down pollutant particles and clean up oil spills and industrial wastes have been developed
• Tailor made pharmaceuticals can target specific disease-causing enzymes and nullify their effects

Biotechnology Applications in the Future

With its ability to work with our basic genetic makeup, the potential of biotechnology is immense, and also dangerous unless properly controlled. Even in the case of plants, genetic modification is arousing a great deal of controversy and one can only imagine the situation if biotechnology is used to create a new class of "tailor made" humans.

Some of the more responsible future applications include:

• Vaccines against different diseases administered through food and other convenient ways
• Genetic rectification of the proneness to genetic diseases like cystic fibrosis
• Biological techniques for cleaning pollution and waste, and development of biodegradable versions of such materials as plastic