International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (IJTSRD)

Volume 8 Issue 6, Nov-Dec 2024 Available Online: [Link] e-ISSN: 2456 – 6470

Biotechnology
Paul A. Adekunte1, Matthew N. O. Sadiku2, Janet O. Sadiku3
1
International Institute of Professional Security, Lagos, Nigeria
2
Roy G. Perry College of Engineering, Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, TX, USA
3
Juliana King University, Houston, TX, USA

ABSTRACT How to cite this paper: Paul A.

Biotechnology is a multidisciplinary field that involves the Adekunte | Matthew N. O. Sadiku | Janet
integration of natural science and engineering sciences in order to O. Sadiku "Biotechnology" Published in
achieve the application of organisms and parts thereof for products International
Journal of Trend in
and services. Biotechnology has to do with harnessing biological
Scientific Research
systems and organisms, like bacteria, yeast, and plants to perform and Development
specific tasks or produce valuable substances. Biotechnology has (ijtsrd), ISSN:
great impacts on many areas of society, from medicine to agriculture 2456-6470,
and to environmental science. Biotechnological applications are very Volume-8 | Issue-6, IJTSRD72721
diverse and have led to the development of essential products such as December 2024,
life-saving drugs, biofuels, genetically modified crops, and pp.908-912, URL:
innovative materials. Despite its numerous benefits, there are ethical [Link]/papers/[Link]
and societal challenges with regards to genetic modification and
intellectual property rights. Copyright © 2024 by author (s) and
International Journal of Trend in
The paper looks at the diverse applications, uses, benefits of Scientific Research and Development
biotechnology and the challenges and the way out of them for the Journal. This is an
benefit of man. Open Access article
distributed under the
KEYWORDS: Biotechnology, zymotechnology or zymurgy, terms of the Creative Commons
fermentation, food security, environmental sustainability, biofuels, Attribution License (CC BY 4.0)
biosensor, genetic engineering ([Link]

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
Biotechnology has been principally associated with heated topic of discussion in today’s society with the
food by addressing such issues as malnutrition and advent of gene therapy, stem cell research, cloning,
famine, as shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3. The history and genetically modified food. While it seems only
of biotechnology is said to begin with natural nowadays to link pharmaceutical drugs as
zymotechnology [1], which commenced with the solutions to health and societal problems, this
focus on brewing techniques for beer. After World relationship of biotechnology serving social needs
War l, zymotechnology or zymurgy expanded to began centuries ago [2]. Biotechnology arose from
tackle larger industrial issues, for which the potential the field of zymotechnology or zymurgy, giving rise
of industrial fermentation gave rise to biotechnology. to a better understanding of industrial fermentation,
In 1975 at the Asilomar Conference, Joshua particularly beer. In Germany, in the late 19th century,
Lederberg was the most outspoken supporter for the brewing of beer contributed much to the gross
emerging field in biotechnology. By 1978 and with national product as steel, and taxes on alcohol proved
the development of synthetic human insulin, to be significant sources of revenue to the government
Lederberg’s claims proved valid, and the [3]. It was Karoly Ereky, an Hungarian who coined
biotechnology industry grew rapidly. Each new the word “biotechnology” in 1919 to describe a
scientific advance became a media event designed to technology based on converting raw materials into a
gain and capture public support, and by the 1980s, more useful product [2], therefore for Ereky, the term
biotechnology grew into a promising real industry. In “biotechnologie” indicated the process by which raw
1988, only five proteins from genetically engineered materials could be biologically upgraded into socially
cells were approved as drugs by the United States useful products [4]. In the 1940s, penicillin was
Food and Drug Administration (FDA), but the discovered in England, but was produced industrially
number skyrocketed to over 125 by the end of the in the US by the use of deep fermentation process
1990s. The field of genetic engineering remains a originally developed in Peoria, Illinois [5].

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Fermentation technology in the 1950s advanced into erosion, increases tolerance to droughts and floods,
the production of steroids on an industrial scale [6]. improves nutrition and tilling. It also enhances the
There was also the improved semi-synthesis of nutritive value of staple foods to improve overall
cortisone which simplified the old 31 step synthesis to nutrition and health [16].
11 steps [7], and with this advance estimated to
Agricultural biotech can boost food production in
reduce the cost of the drug by 70%, making the
both developed and developing worlds, reduce
medicine inexpensive and available [8].
vulnerability to pests, viruses, and drought as the
The first biosensor was invented in 1962 by Leland C. world’s population is expected to reach nearly 10
Clark and Champ Lyons [9, 10], and while Biosensor billion in 2050. To this end, and to meet this
MOSFETs were later developed and now widely used challenge, global food production must more than
to measure physical, chemical, biological and double and should be environmentally sustainable. It
environmental parameters [11]. The first BioFET was is a useful tool to combat food insecurity and
the ion-sensitive field-effect transistor (ISFET), malnutrition. There is an increasing understanding
invented by Piet Bergveld in 1970 – is a special type and acceptance of this concept, since genetically
of MOSFET, where the metal gate is replaced by an engineered crops since 2019 were grown in 29
ion-sensitive membrane, electrolyte solution and countries and while 42 additional countries imported
reference electrode [12, 13]. The ISFET is widely these crops, as shown in Figures 5, 6, and 7. The
used in biomedical applications, such as the detection countries that grow biotech crops include ten in Latin
of DNA hybridization, biomarker detection from America, six in Africa, two in Europe, and nine in
blood, antibody detection, glucose measurement, pH Asia. International acceptance is expected to grow as
sensing, and genetic technology [13], as shown in science-based, risk-proportionate regulations are
Figure 4. developed with respect to the cultivation and trade of
BIOTECHNOLOGY APPLICATIONS biotech crops and people experience the benefits.
Biotechnology applications are in the following major There is still the persistent misunderstanding about
industrial areas, which are in health care (medical), this technology, its safety, and the breath of its
crop production and agriculture, non-food (industrial) potential. Foods derived through advanced
uses of crops and other products (e. g. biodegradable agricultural technology normally undergo extensive
plastics, vegetable oil, biofuels), and environmental risk assessment procedures by a variety of national
uses [14]. Biotechnology is also used to recycle, treat bodies like the Environmental Protection Agency, the
waste, and clean up sites contaminated by industrial United States Department of Agriculture, and the
activities (bioremediation), and also to produce Food and Drug Administration. Furthermore, biotech
biological weapons [2]. crops also undergo analysis by international entities
such as the European Food Safety Agency. Therefore
The several branches of biotechnology have been any biotech crops approved by these bodies are
identified as follows [15]: designated as safe for both people and the
 Bioinformatics (or “gold biotechnology) environment [16].
 Blue or marine biotechnology
 Green or natural biotechnology Biotech is very useful in our every day life, from
 Red or clinical biotechnology creating revolutionary products and technologies that
 White or ultramodern biotechnology fight against debilitating and rare diseases to reducing
 Yellow biotechnology carbon emission, promoting effective industrial
 Gray biotechnology manufacturing processes, creating pest-resistant
 Brown biotechnology crops, and ebeni in challenging areas such as forensic
 Violet biotechnology sciences (DNA fingerprinting) and biodefence and
 Microbial biotechnology, and public safety. Blended biofuels are used in road
 Dark biotechnology transportation to help reduce carbon impact [17].

BENEFITS AND CHALLENGES OF Some of the challenges to biotechnology are [18]:

BIOTECHNOLOGY  Regulatory compliance and approval processes
The Office of Agricultural Policy (AGP) keeps  Funding and financial challenges
markets open for US biotechnology products.  Ethical considerations and public perception
Biotechnology has a proven safety record and
 Technological advancements and rapid innovation
benefits farmers, consumers and the environment by
producing more food per acre while conserving and  Talent acquisition and retention
reducing the need for chemicals,  Intellectual property protection and patent
pesticides/insecticides, protects biodiversity, reduces challenges

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CONCLUSION Wiley. doi: 10. 1002/9783527608188.ch1.
Regardless of these challenges, they however present ISBN 9783527310012.
opportunities for innovation and growth in the biotech [9] J. Park et al. (2014), “Applications of field-
industry. When the challenges are holistically faced effect transistor (FET) – Type biosensors,”
or addressed by biotech companies via their coming Applied Science and Convergence Technology,
together, these problems can be resolved and great vol. 23, no 2, pp 61-71.
success achieved to move the industry forward. There
is also the need for the biotech companies to improve [10] L. C. Clark, C. Lyons (1962), “Electrode
their public perception by the use of transparent systems for continuous monitoring in
communication, community engagement, and the cardiovascular surgery,” Annals of the New
demonstration to the commitment to ethical and York Academy of Sciences, vol. 102, no 1, pp
responsible innovation. Through the collaboration of 29-45.
the biotech companies, there would be great [11] P. Bergveld (October 1985), “The impact of
improvement in people’s lives and solutions to global MOSFET-based sensors,” (PDF) Sensors and
problems such as food insecurity, environmental Actuators, vol. 8, no 2, pp 109-127.
sustainability, poverty, and so on.
[12] P. Bergveld (January 1970), “Development of
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Figure 2. Biotechnology
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Figure 3. History of biotechnology

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Figure 7. DNA sequencing

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Figure 6. Molecular biotechnology
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