Potential impact of biotechnology on modern society - Essay Example

INDEX Introduction to biotechnology Application in healthcare Agriculture Environment Potential impact of biotechnology on modern society. POTENTIAL IMPACT OF BIOTECHNOLOGY ON MODERN SOCIETY Many areas of biotechnology have arisen through the interaction between various parts of biology and engineering, biochemistry, biophysics, cell biology, colloid chemistry, embryology, ecology, genetics, immunology, molecular biology, medical chemistry, pharmacology, virology and many such fields. Global impact and current excitement of biotechnology on modern society:- Each and every organism performs its function within its optimum limits. yeast cells have been genetically manipulated to produce vaccine against hepatitis B virus. myeloma cells and b-cells of immunized mice were hybridized to produce hybrid cells that consisted the characteristics of both the cells which were cell division and antibody production. following are the areas where biotechnology has done best Health care:- The maximum benefits to biotechnology have been utilized by health care. Biotechnology derived proteins and polypeptides from the new class of potential drugs. for ex insulin was primarily extracted from slaughter animals. since 1982 human insulin have been produced by micro organism in fermenters.some of the important products that have been produced are interferon for cancer and viral infection, human urokinase for plasminogen activator used in vascular disorder, insulin for treatment of diabetes, human factor for clotting for hemophilia, lymph lines for auto immune functioning, serum albumin in surgery, attenuated pseudo rabies virus antigen for vaccine against rabies, tissue plasminogen activator in treatment of heart attack. Currently there are about 35 biotechnology derived therapeutics and vaccines approved by the USFDA alone for medical use, and more than 500 drugs and vaccines to reach in market. Agriculture:-biotechnology is making new ground in the food agriculture area. current public debate about BSTC, bovine somatotropin (a hormone administered to cows to increase the milk production).is an example of biotechnology product testing public acceptance. Food biotechnology valuable and viable alternatives to food problems, and a solution to nutritionally influenced disease such as diabetes, hypertension , cancer, heart diseases, arthritis etc.a transgenic golden rice have been produced by introducing three genes for the production of vitamin A in Taipei rice. A transgenic cotton named 'Inguard' was released in Australia which contain bt genes which provided resistance against insects. molecular farming is a new concept were therapeutic drugs are produced in farm animals for example therapeutics proteins secreted in goat milk. there are about dozen of countries that produce lactoferrin., tPA, hemoglobin, melanin, and interleukins in cows, goat and pigs. however it is not surprising that vegetables producing vaccines insulin interferon's and growth hormones would be available in market in 21st century, beside, human clones and several other miracles. Human genome project (HGP):- The major landmark in human history is the human genome sequence. the HGP is an international research development. almost the whole human genome has been sequenced and chromosome map has been developed in various labs World wide. objectives of human genome project are to :-construct the detail genetic and physical map of human genome, 1. determine the complete nucleotide sequence of human DNA, 2. store information in database, 3. locate the estimated 50,000-100,000 genes within the human genome 4. address the ethical, social, legal issues (ELSI )that may arise from the project, 5.perform similar analysis on the genomes of several other organisms. Environment:-the natural biodegrability of pollutants present in environment has increased with the use of biotechnology. the bioremediation technologies have been found successful to combat the pollution problems. Bioremediation is the use of micro organisms to detoxify pollutants, present in the environment usually as soil or water sediments. the pollutants cause several health problems. micro organisms which show potential to degradation of oil, pesticides and fertilizers belong to the genera of bacteria Pseudomonas, Micrococcus, Bacillus and fungi Candida. Ban on genetic food :- It is a growing concern all over the world that the genetic food may pose risks to human health, ecology and the environment. However, it has forced the government of many countries to re think on introduction of such designer crop. for the first time the European commissions scientific advisor have recommended that a genetically engineered potato be withheld from the market because they cannot guarantee its safety. worried at the growing acts of vandalism against the genetically engineered crops in Britain, the environment minister had gone on record that government was considering a three year ban on transgenic crops grown for commercial use. the united states, the worlds biggest producers of genetically modified foods, has also threatened New Zealand to ban his genetically engineered foods. in Europe the boom in the stock market foe the biotech product also is in wane. British biotech, Europe's flagship biotechnology company has lost its share value by more than fifty percent. However, it is a general opinion that in solving the global problems of hunger and food shortages biotechnology cannot make cheaper at any cost. it is true that cotton pest, especially American bollworm has become resistant to certain pesticides. Moreover, several pest have developed immunity against the bt gene Bacillus thuringiensis gene. if the cotton bollworm too develops resistant . against the bt-cotton, it will force a still number of farmers to commit suicide The World Health Organization attaches high priority to the safe use and application of modern biotechnology to food production and processing. These applications present opportunities and challenges for human health and development. Despite a number of national and international initiatives, the use and development of modern food biotechnology remains a controversial global issue. Modern food biotechnology promises a new range of products and processes proclaimed to be for the public good, some related to agricultural benefits others directly or indirectly to health. WHO would like to assess how these products currently impact human health and the development of society at large and how they will do so in the future. The potential benefits include solving world food shortages, and improvements in medicine, agriculture, and veterinary sciences. We can confidently expect biotechnological solutions to many essential industrial processes that currently produce toxic effluents. An increasing role for biotechnology in environmental management will undoubtedly follow. Because the prospect of serious biohazards appears to be receding, it does not mean that strict regulation of the new technology should be relaxed. Provided such vigilance is maintained, mankind can look forward to a wide range of exciting prospects that stem from biotechnology. The effects of any new technology introduced on the scale anticipated for biotechnology extend beyond the factories and research centers influencing our everyday lives The committee concluded that rDNA techniques constitute a powerful and safe new means for the modification of organisms for the benefit of animals and humans. They also stated that there is adequate scientific knowledge to guide the safe and prudent use of such organisms outside research laboratories Sources:- A textbook of biotechnogy, R.C. Dubey The economic and social dynamics of biotechnogy, John De La Mothe Biotechnology by Robert De Warmbrodth Food science and food biotechnology by Gustavo V. Barbosa Canovas Introduction to biotechnology by Pelczer Read More