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What is Biotechnology?
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What is Biotechnology?
Biotechnology is an applied science, aimed at harnessing the natural biological capabilities of microbial, plant and animal cells for the benefit of people. It couples scientific and engineering principles with commercial considerations to develop and improve products and processes made from living systems. According to the office of Technology Assessment, United States congress, biotechnology is "any technique that uses living organisms or substance from those organisms to make or modify a product to improve plants or animals, or develop micro-organisms for specific purposes".
Biotechnology is not new as some people discovered over 9000 years that microorganisms could be used to make bread, brew alcohol and produce cheese. What is new, however, is the extent of applications and sophistication of biotechnology techniques currently employed. Researchers can manipulate living organisms and transfer genetic materials between organisms. Genetic engineering itself is the specific modification or transfer of genetic materials under lies modern bio-technical innovations.
Application of biotechnology are predominantly practiced in a wide range of activities of social and economic importance, as highlighted below:
1. Agriculture
i. Plant breeding;
ii. Mass propagation of plant clones;
iii. Bioinsecticide development;
iv. Modification of plants to improve nutritional and processing characteristics; to mention but few.
2. Medicine
i. Development of Novel Therapeutic molecules for medical treatment;
ii. Production of new antibiotics, vaccines for malaria and improved ways of
insulin;
iii.Diagnostic test for detecting serious diseases such as hereditary
cancers;
iv. Drug delivery;
v. Tissue Engineering of replacement organs; and
vi. Gene therapy, to mention a few.
3. Veterinary Practice
i. Vaccine Production;
ii. Fertility Control; and
iii. Breeding to mention a few.
4. Food Industry
i. Production of baker's yeast, cheese, yogurts and fermenting foods such as
vinegar etc.
ii. Brewing and wind making; and
iii. Production of flavours and colour agents. etc.
5. Chemical Industry
i. Production of bulk chemicals and solvents such as ethanol, citric acid,
acetone and buthanol.
ii.Synthesis of fine specialty chemicals such as enzymes, amino acids,
alkaloids and antibiotics.
6. Environment
i. Bioremediation of soil and water polluted with toxic chemicals;
ii. Sewage and other organic waste treatment;
Conclusively, biotechnology has significantly impacted and improved the quality of life for people of this planet. And this does not end there, complementing the creative endeavours of researchers and engineers in the efforts to commercialize biotechnology products with input of business, management and marketing personnel.
Olufemi
Nigeria
For more details, visit http://www.phemephe.blogspot.com
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Responses
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| Author: Olufemi 23 Sep 2008 | Member Level: Diamond Points : 2 | It is a pity that effort of members to sit down and write valuable article are being bastardize by the so call webmasters. I have research and write good materials for students and professionals a like but it is always rejected lately but the google adsense is attached to it and they are not totally removed from the site in order not to make any money with those rejected materials. If there is no need to post any more resources we should be told not to waste or valuable time posting what will be rejected.
Olufemi
Nigeria
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