Biotechnology

Biotechnology

Chapter 2

Definition• Biotechnology is defined as “The manipulation of biological

organisms to make products benefiting human beings” (p. 19).

• Agricultural and Animal Cross-breeding for trait selection

• With the discovery of the structure of DNA by Watson and Crick in the 50’s, biotechnology has extended into the areas such as:

• Gene transfer through direct manipulation• Human stem cell research• Cloning• Fusing of different types of cells to product medical products

Biotechnology

Using biological agents

in processes

to produce goods or services

Biotechnology really the history of

Babylonians grew yeasts to produce beer….over 8000 years ago

All about the yeast

Altering any part of this process is biotech

All about the yeast

Yeast fermentation = ethanol

+ a little biotech = glycerol

+ tweaking fermentation =

Beer and bread

Explosives during WWII

Antibiotics

Biotechnology in Agriculture

Problem? Pests and weeds

Solution! Use viruses and bacteria to splice-in genes from resistant species

e.g., bacterial gene produces a protein toxic to corn borers

Ears?!

Huh?

Yes.

Biotechnology and humans

• Biotechnology is also being used to benefit the human population:

• Genetic testing • Gene therapy• Organ Transplants• Stem Cells

Biotechnologies and medicine

cybermedicine

• Nanomedicine• Pharmacogenomics• Medical Simulations• Minimally Invasive Surgery• In Vitro Fertilization• Fetoscopy

Breeding versus Biotechnology

Cross-pollinationDonor plant + commercial variety = new variety

New variety has desired and undesired genes

Genetic EngineeringDesired gene + commercial variety = new variety

New variety has ONLY desired genes

But what of unintended

consequences??

Gattaca

Genetic discrimination as shown in

Gattaca

biotechnology and food sources

Breeding versus Biotechnology

Cross-pollinationDonor plant + commercial variety = new variety

New variety has desired and undesired genes

Genetic EngineeringDesired gene + commercial variety = new variety

New variety has ONLY desired genes

Recombinant DNA

Biotechnology and other areas

• Biotechnology extends beyond application to food and medicine:

• Biomaterials used to produce consumer items• Bioremediation to assist in waste management• Biomining to extract precious metals and ores• DNA chips to screen for water quality, determine

the identity of endangered species, and allow rapid ID of crime suspects in the field.

DNA, Computers, and Walgreens?

• DNA Computer Gets Scaled Up (link)• Personal DNA Tests Arriving at Walgreens (link

)• Synthetic Life Becomes Reality (video)• Rat Brain Flight Simulator (video)