CHAPTER
Biotechnology and
7 Its Applications
Biotechnology: Deals with industrial scale production of MOLECULAR DIAGNOSIS METHODS
biopharmaceuticals and biologicals using GM microbes,
fungi, plants and animals. Parameters Conventional Modern
Applications of biotechnology include: Early detection Not possible Possible
Therapeutics processed food Examples Serum and urine analysis RDT, PCR, ELISA
Diagnostics bioremediation
TRANSGENIC ANIMALS
Genetically modified organisms
Possess manipulated DNA and express foreign gene
Crops for agriculture
Transgenic rats, rabbits, pigs, sheep, cows
Waste treatment
95% of transgenic animals are mice.
Energy production
Uses of Transgenic Animals
BIOTECHNOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS IN Transgenic models exist for study of diseases like cancer,
cystic fibrosis, rheumatoid arthritis and Alzheimer’s
AGRICULTURE
Biological products
Made crops more tolerant to abiotic stresses (cold, drought,
a-1 antitrypsin - Treat emphysema
salt, heat).
Similar attempts are made for treatment of PKU
Reduced reliance on chemical pesticides (pest-resistant (Phenylketonuria) and cystic fibrosis.
crops).
First transgenic cow: Rosie developed in 1997 producing
Helped to reduce post harvest losses. human protein enriched milk (2.4 grams per litre)
Increased efficiency of mineral usage by plants (prevents Vaccine Safety
early exhaustion of fertility of soil). Transgenic mice are being used to test the safety of polio
Enhanced nutritional value of food, e.g., golden rice, i.e., vaccine to replace the use of monkey.
Vitamin ‘A’ enriched rice. Chemical safety testing
Insect resistant plants-Bt Cotton Transgenic animals are made more sensitive to toxic
Pest resistant plants-Tobacco plant (By RNAi) substances to obtain results in less time.
BIOTECHNOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS IN ETHICAL ISSUES
GEAC (Genetic Engineering Approval Committee): Makes
MEDICINE
decisions regarding the validity of introducing GMO for
30 recombinant therapeutics have been approve for human use public services.
the world over. In India, 12 of these are presently being markted.
Biopiracy refers to the use of bio-resources by multinational
Genetically Engineered Human Insulin (humulin) → companies and other organisations without proper
manufactured by Eli Lilly, an American company in 1983 authorization from the countries and people concerned
Gene Therapy → First clinical gene therapy was conducted in without compensatory payment.
1990 in a 4 year old girl to treat adenosine deaminase (ADA) The Indian Parliament has recently cleared the second
deficiency amendment of the Indian Patents Bill.
CONTROVERSIES REGARDING PATENTS AND BIOPIRACY
Basmatic rice:
2,00,000 varieties of rice in India, 27 documented varieties of Basmati rice in India.
In 1997, an American company got patent rights on Basmatic rice through the US patent Trademark office.
Turmeric and Neem
Though Indian were using turmeric for hundred of years, in 1995, the patent for the use of turmeric in wound healing is given
to university of Mississippi medical centre.
Several traditionally herbal based medicinal products made up of turmeric and neem were also got patent.
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