Biotechnology, United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity, genetically modified organisms (GMOs) , SARS-CoV-2 virus ,genetic engineering

   

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What is biotechnology?

 Biotechnology is the application of biology to create new goods, processes, and organisms with the goal of enhancing society and human health. With the domestication of plants and animals as well as the discovery of fermentation, biotechnology—often abbreviated as "biotech"—has existed since the dawn of civilization. 

"Any technological application that uses biological systems, living organisms, or derivatives thereof, to make or modify products or processes for specific uses" is the definition of biotechnology given in the 1992 United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). In 1919, agricultural engineer Károly Ereki believed that raw materials may be transformed into usable goods through the use of biology. He came up with the term by fusing the concepts biology and technology. 

According to its etymology, biotechnology is derived from Greek. "Life" is denoted by "bio," and "science" by "logy." Since the word "technology" means "skill, art, or craft," it can be characterized as a method of employing scientifically organized knowledge to accomplish tasks that satisfy human requirements.

Early biotechnological applications resulted in the creation of goods like bread and vaccinations. Nonetheless, during the past century, the field has seen tremendous change in ways that affect living things' genetic architecture and biomolecular functions. Modern biotechnology is influenced by a number of scientific and technological fields, such as the following:

Molecular biology Bionics and Chemistry genetic modification genetics Nanotechnology Information science. The following fields have had advancements and developments as a result of this strategy: medical diagnostics like pregnancy tests;

 sustainable biofuels that cut down on waste and pollution; pharmaceuticals and treatments that prevent and treat illness; and genetically modified organisms (GMOs) that make agriculture more productive and economical. The most common method used in contemporary biotechnology applications is genetic engineering, sometimes referred to as recombinant DNA technology. 

Genetic cell architecture can be altered or interacted with through genetic engineering. Genes that create proteins are found in every cell in both plants and animals. These proteins are what define the organism's properties.

Scientists can enhance the traits of an organism or produce a whole new one by altering or interacting with genes. People may benefit from these new and altered creatures, such as crops that produce more or are more drought-resistant. The controversial practices of animal cloning and genetic alteration are also made possible by genetic engineering.

  

The following discoveries and developments in biotechnology have surfaced throughout the last 100 years or so: Karl Ereky, a Hungarian physicist, first uses the phrase "biotechnology" in 1919. 1928: The first real antibiotic, penicillin, is discovered by Alexander Fleming. Oswald Avery established in 1943 that genetic information is carried by DNA. 1953.

 The double helix structure of DNA is discovered by Francis Crick and James Watson. the 1960s. Measles, mumps, and rubella vaccinations are created, while insulin is produced to combat diabetes.1969: An enzyme is synthesized for the first time in vitro, or outside the body. 1973. When DNA from one bacterium is first inserted into another, Stanley Cohen and Herbert Boyer create genetic engineering. the 1980s. The first cancer-treating biotech medications are created. 1890. 

A "live human-made microorganism is patentable subject matter," according to the US Supreme Court, which implies that genetically modified organisms may be considered intellectual property. 1982: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves the first genetically modified product, a biotech-developed type of insulin. The first genetically engineered plant is released in 1983.

The first genetically engineered plant is released in 1983. 1993 saw the FDA approve growth hormones that increase cow milk production, which led to the introduction of GMOs into agriculture. The first mammal is cloned in 1997. 1998. The Human Genome Project's initial draft is produced, providing researchers with access to more than 30,000 human genes and enabling studies on the management of illnesses including cancer and Alzheimer's. In 2010, the first artificial cell is produced. 2013 saw the creation of the first bionic eye. 2020. The SARS-CoV-2 virus is treated using monoclonal antibody technology and MRNA vaccination.

Based on similar applications and purposes, the subdisciplines of the science of biotechnology are color-coded. Medical procedures involving red biotechnology include the use of organisms to create novel medications and stem cells to repair damaged human tissue and grow and regenerate complete organs. Industrial processes like the creation of novel chemicals or biofuels for automobiles are referred to as white or gray. Green encompasses agricultural activities like growing crops and animals that are resistant to pests and diseases, as well as ecologically friendly farming methods. 

Gold, sometimes referred to as bioinformatics, is a hybrid of informatics and biological processes. It describes the procedures used by medical professionals to collect, preserve, and evaluate biological data in order to treat patients.Blue includes activities that take place in aquatic and marine areas, like turning aquatic biomass into medicines and fuels. The most common use of yellow is in the fermentation of cheese and alcohol, which helps with food production. Violet makes ensuring that biotechnology practices adhere to the legal and moral guidelines that regulate each industry. The use of biotechnology in combat or as a weapon is dark.

The environment , the development of environmentally friendly procedures that minimize waste and contamination is the goal of environmental biotechnology. Some instances of environmental biotechnology are as follows:

 Heavy metals and other contaminants are removed from soils by phytoremediation, which employs genetically modified microorganisms. Through the introduction of microorganisms, bioremediation breaks down nonrecyclable garbage in an organic manner.

 Plastic debris is broken down in soils and water by bacteria that consume plastic. GMO food reduces food waste and prolongs food freshness. Restoring endangered species, like the American chestnut tree, is the goal of genetic restoration.

Drugs ,the goal of medical biotechnology, or biopharma, is to enhance healthcare by preventing and combating illness. The current pharmaceutical industry is built on biotechnology and biological research. Among the uses are the following: study on stem cells, which aid in the replacement or repair of damaged or dead cells;

 the creation of antibiotics; gene treatments for illnesses like leukemia; studies on harmful microorganisms and the antibodies that combat them; 3D printing or laboratory-grown organs and bones; mRNA vaccinations; monoclonal antibody therapies; and COVID-19 research.

Industry ,microorganisms are used in industrial biotechnology to create industrial products. The following are a few examples: fermentation and the use of microbes and enzymes to speed up the production of chemicals and lower operating costs and emissions; biofuels, which create combustible fuel from renewable crops like corn rather than natural, nonrenewable fossil fuel resources like oil and petroleum; and biodegradable clothing and textiles made from living things' proteins, like spider silk proteins.

Agriculture

Agricultural biotechnology genetically engineers plants and animals to produce more efficient agriculture, increase nutritional value and reduce food insecurity. Some examples of agricultural biotechnology are the following:

biologically produced pesticides and herbicides that are less harmful to humans than chemical ones;

drought-resistant crops;

minimal space-resilient crops;

meat grown in labs or using 3D printers;

gluten-free grains friendly to sufferers of celiac;

selective breeding that produces healthier, bigger livestock and crops; and

nutrient supplementation that infuses food with added nutrients to improve diets and medical treatments.

What are biotechnology's benefits? 

The development of biotechnology provides numerous benefits and answers to pressing issues. These are the principal ones: creating healthier, more robust, and more sustainable food products that improve nutrition and fight food insecurity; treating diseases in children before they are born by changing their genomes; developing medicines to prolong the life of people, animals, and plants; lowering the cost of farm supplies like pesticides while raising crop yields and profits; and reducing pollution and waste to stop the devastating effects of climate change and environmental damage.

What drawbacks does biotechnology have? 

Biotechnology has drawbacks and can be abused. Among the primary drawbacks are the following: biological combat. There is a chance that diseases and epidemics will emerge and be utilized to infect populations in a war area. reduction in biodiversity. Growing only a few genetically modified crops, or monocropping, may reduce the natural gene pool of species and reduce their ability to adapt and bounce back from abrupt environmental changes. reduction in soil fertility. Bio-enhanced plants produce more crops and need more nutrients from the soil. This can destroy farms, deplete soil of beneficial nutrients, and necessitate the use of environmentally hazardous fertilizers to compensate for the nutritional deficit.

High costs: Biotechnology products are frequently more expensive than traditional products and have the potential to increase pricing structures across a number of industries. Ethical considerations: Gene manipulation raises a number of ethical issues, including the genetic engineering of humans. Safety concerns: 

A number of groups have expressed safety concerns regarding the health risks associated with genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and mRNA vaccines, among other biotech-related medical advancements.

 

To sum up, biotechnology is a rapidly developing and revolutionary science that combines biology and technology to solve pressing issues and enhance human lives. From its early beginnings in fermentation and selective breeding to its more recent developments in genetic engineering and synthetic biology, biotechnology has had a significant impact on industry, environmental sustainability, medicine, and agriculture.

 Even while biotechnology has many advantages, including improving food security, preventing disease, and lessening environmental impact, its development must be handled carefully. Using biotechnology for the greater benefit requires addressing ethical issues, guaranteeing safety, and reducing adverse environmental effects.

As this discipline develops further, it has the potential to completely transform how we engage with and enjoy nature, opening the door to a more sustainable and healthy future.