Introduction

UNIT 1
 Unit Outline
a. Definition of Biotechnology
b. History of Biotechnology
c. Biotechnology and its Relation to Other
Scientific Disciplines
d. Biotechnology and Plant Breeding
e. Importance of Biotechnology
f. Status and Development of
Biotechnology in the Philippines
g. Future Prospects of Biotechnology
 Learning Outcomes
• Explain and define biotechnology and its
importance in agriculture
• Familiarize the history of biotechnology
• Relate biotechnology to other sciences
• Understand the current status of
biotechnology in the Philippines
 What is Biotechnology?
• Other definitions of biotechnology
a. CLASSICAL: Processes using living
organisms to make a product or run a
process, such as industrial fermentations
 What is Biotechnology?
• Other definitions of biotechnology
b. LAYMAN: Biotechnology began when
humans began to plant their own crops,
domesticate animals, ferment juice into wine,
make cheese, and leaven bread
 What is Biotechnology?
• Other definitions of biotechnology
c. GENENTECH: Process of harnessing 'nature's
own' biochemical tools to make possible new
products and processes and provide solutions to
society's ills (G. Kirk Raab, Former Pres. & CEO
of Genentech)
 What is Biotechnology?
• Other definitions of biotechnology
d. WEBSTER: The aspect of technology
concerned with the application of living
organisms to meet the needs and ends of
man.
 What is Biotechnology?
• Other definitions of biotechnology
e. WALL STREET: Application of genetic
engineering and DNA technology to produce
therapeutic and medical diagnostic products
and processes.
 What is Biotechnology?
• Biotechnology
- Bios (life) + Logos (study of or essence)
- Literally ‘the study of tools from living things’
 What is Biotechnology?
• Biotechnology
- Using scientific methods with organisms to
produce new products or new forms of
organisms

- Any technique that uses living organisms or

substances from those organisms to make or
modify a product, to improve plants or
animals, or to develop microorganisms for
specific uses
 What is Biotechnology?
• Multidisciplinary in nature, involving input from:
– Engineering
– Computer Science
– Cell and Molecular Biology
– Microbiology
– Genetics
– Physiology
– Biochemistry
– Immunology
– Virology
– Recombinant DNA Technology
• Genetic manipulation of bacteria, viruses, fungi, plants and
animals, often for the development of specific products
 Terms to Remember
o DNA: A molecule found in
cells of organisms where
genetic information is
stored.
o Gene: A biological unit that
determines an organism’s
inherited characteristics.
o Genome: The entire
hereditary material in a cell.
o Genetic engineering: The
selective, deliberate
alteration of genes by man.
 Terms to Remember
o Modern biotechnology: Application of in vitro
nucleic acid techniques, including recombinant DNA
and direct injection of nucleic acid into cells or
organelles or fusion of cells beyond the taxonomic
family.
o Traits: Characteristics such as size, shape, taste,
color, increased yields, or disease resistance.
o Transgene: A gene that has been artificially inserted
into an organism.
o Transgenic or genetically modified organism
(GMO): An organism that has a novel combination of
genetic material obtained through the use of modern
biotechnology.
History of Biotechnology
 Ancient Biotechnology
o 2.6 million years to 12,000 years ago
• Paleolithic society comprising of hunter-gatherers
• Nomadic lifestyle due to migratory animals and edible
plant distribution (e.g.wild wheat and barley)
 Ancient Biotechnology
o 8,500 B.C.
• People settled, sedentary
lifestyles evolved
• Domestication of plants and
animals through artificial
selection
• New varieties of plants and
animals resulted
• Seed collection of wild plants
• Cultivation of wheat, barley and
rye
• Domestication of goats and
sheep for milk, cheese, mutton,
and meat
• Grinding stones were used in
food preparation
 Ancient Biotechnology
o 1500 B.C.
• Bread making and wine making – Egyptians used a pure yeast
strain, Saccharomyces winlocki
 Ancient Biotechnology
o 4000 B.C.
• The Chinese used microbes in food preparation:
Lactic acid-producing bacteria to make yogurt
Acetic acid bacteria for making wine vinegar
Molds for making cheese
Produced soy sauce and other sauces by fermentation
 Ancient Biotechnology
o 5000 - 3000 B.C.
• Fermented rice in the Orient and the Andes
o 6000 - 5000 B.C.
• Preservation by fermentation and using brine (olives, pickles
and sauerkraut)
• Cheese making
• Beer making
 Ancient Biotechnology
o Long history of fermented foods
since people began to settle
• Boiling (‘Fervere’ – to boil)
• Deliberate contamination
with bacteria or fungi (molds)
o Dough not baked immediately
would undergo spontaneous
fermentation, resulting to rising
o Uncooked fermented dough could
be used to ferment a new batch
of dough, making it no longer
reliant on ‘chance’ fermentation
 Ancient Biotechnology
o 1866 – Louis Pasteur
published his findings
on the direct link
between yeast and
sugars (CO2 + ethanol;
anaerobic process)
o 1915 – Production of
baker’s yeast,
Saccharomyces
cerevisiae
Classical Biotechnology
o The basics for the transfer of
genetic information are the core
of biotechnology.
o Mendel’s two laws of inheritance
o Scientific knowledge of
fermentation lead to
industrialization and
commercialization
• Large scale brewery
• Vinegar making
• Organic solvents
• Modern fermenter or
bioreactor
o Antibiotics and other
pharmaceutical compounds
 Classical Biotechnology
• 1907
– USDA researchers showed that crown gall was
caused by Agrobacterium tumefaciens.
• 1919
– The word “biotechnology” was coined by Hungarian
agricultural engineer Karl Ereky
 Classical Biotechnology
• 1928
– X-rays and radium were
described to cause
mutations in barley
– Fleming discovers
Penicillin
• 1941
– The term “genetic
engineering” was first
used by a Danish
microbiologist.
– Chemicals were
discovered to cause
mutations
 Classical Biotechnology
• 1942
– The electron microscope is used to identify and
characterize a bacteriophage
– Chemical transformations to produce therapeutic products
(Substrate + Microbial Enzyme = Product)
• e.g. Cholesterol = Steroids (Cortisone, Estrogen,
Progesterone)
 Modern Biotechnology
• Multidisciplinary
• Resulted from scientific discoveries and technological
developments that started from the discovery of the first
microscope.
 Modern Biotechnology
Foundations of Modern Biotechnology
 Modern Biotechnology
Pioneers of Modern Biotechnology
1. Robert Hooke (1665)
– Invented the compound light microscope
– First to observe cells in cork and noted
he saw “a great many boxes”
 Modern Biotechnology
Pioneers of Modern Biotechnology
2. Antony van Leeuwenhoek (1675)
– Discovered bacteria using a simple microscope
– Observed living cells in pond water, which he called
‘animalcules’
 Modern Biotechnology
Pioneers of Modern Biotechnology
3. Gregor Mendel (1863)
– Austrian monk who conducted the first genetics
experiments using pea plants in mid 1800’s
– Often considered as the father of genetics
 Modern Biotechnology
Pioneers of Modern Biotechnology
4. Louis Pasteur (1870)
– Disproved the notion of spontaneous generation,
describing the role of bacteria in spoilage and the
scientific basis for fermentation
– Created the rabies vaccine
 Modern Biotechnology
Pioneers of Modern Biotechnology
5. James Watson and Francis Crick (1953)
– Discovered the double helix structure of DNA based
on Rosalind Franklin’s X-ray photograph (Photo 51)
 Modern Biotechnology
Pioneers of Modern Biotechnology
6. Stanley Cohen, Herbert Boyer and Paul Berg (1973)
– Inventors of recombinant DNA technology along with
other scientists
– A method for insertion of genetic material from one
organism into another.
 Modern Biotechnology
• 1953
– Watson and Crick elucidated the
structure of DNA
• 1957
– Meselson and Stahl demonstrated
that DNA replicated semi-
conservatively, meaning that each
strand in a DNA molecule serves
as a template for synthesis of a
new, complementary strand
• 1966
– The complete 64-triplet code used
by all living organisms had been
elucidated
 Modern Biotechnology
• 1970s
– First recombinant DNA
experiments
– Plasmids and viruses were
used as vehicles to
transfer DNA into cells.
– Isolation of DNA
polymerase, DNA ligase,
restriction endonucleases
– Gel electrophoresis used
in DNA visualization
 Modern Biotechnology
• 1973
– Experiments of Paul Berg, Herbert Boyer, Stanley
Cohen, Janet Mertz, Ronald Davis, and colleagues
ushered in the era of modern biotechnology and genetic
engineering
 Modern Biotechnology
• First DNA cloning experiments
– Boyer, Helling, Cohen and Chang joined specific DNA
fragments in a vector and transformed an E. coli host.
• 1974
– Cohen and Chang transferred bacterial DNA to
unrelated bacteria
– Cohen and colleagues demonstrated that animal DNA
could be propagated in bacteria.
• 1980
– The patents for the basic methods of cloning and
transformation was awarded to Boyer and Cohen.
Modern Biotechnology
 Modern Biotechnology
• Late 1970s – 1980s
– Frederick Sanger and colleagues developed a way to
sequence DNA
 Modern Biotechnology
• Late 1970s – 1980s
– The Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) technique was
conceived by Kary Mullis.
 Modern Biotechnology
• Late 1970s – 1980s
– Pfizer isolated a gene for making rennet from bovine
DNA inserted into bacteria
 Modern Biotechnology
• Late 1970s – 1980s
– The first genetic transformation of plant cells by TI
plasmids was performed.
– The first artificial chromosome was synthesized.
– The first genetic markers for specific inherited diseases
are found.
 Modern Biotechnology
• Late 1980s – 1990s
– A variety of GMO’s and biotechnology techniques are
introduced in fields from agriculture to medicine
• Invention of the “gene gun” by John Sanford of
Cornell University
 Modern Biotechnology
• Late 1980s – 1990s
• Recombinant DNA technology
– extracts DNA from one organism for use in another,
allowing more rapid and specific improvements in
plants and animals
 Modern Biotechnology
• Late 1980s – 1990s
• Plant Tissue Culture
– gains widespread acceptance as a method to
quickly and cheaply produce genetically identical
plants
Modern Biotechnology
• Late 1980s – 1990s
– The first transgenic plants were
produced (1982 -1983)
• A tobacco plant with kanamycin
resistance (Washington University)
• A tobacco plant with kanamycin
and methotrexate resistance
(Rijksuniversiteit, Ghent, Belgium)
• Petunia plants with kanamycin
resistance (Monsanto)
• Sunflower inserted with a bean
gene (University of Wisconsin)
– Monsanto introduces an herbicide-
tolerant soybean variety called
Roundup Ready (1988)
Modern Biotechnology
• 1990s
– First transgenic organisms (GMO’s)
are introduced in widespread
agricultural production, particularly
in the area of crops.
• China is first to put GM crops on
sale (virus-resistant tobacco and
a tomato)
• US FDA approved genetic
modifications to make rennet
from bacteria
• First successful field trial of
insect-resistant cotton (Bt
cotton) by Monsanto
Modern Biotechnology
• 1994
– Transgenic Flavr Savr® is
approved for sale in US groceries
– US used bovine growth hormone
produced by microorganisms to
produce more milk.
• 1995 – 1996
– Bt corn and soybeans are
commercialized in the US.
• 1996
– First GM herbicide-tolerant soya
beans and insect-protected
maize approved in the EU
 Modern Biotechnology
• 1997
– Dolly, the first animal cloned from diploid cells was born
in Roslin University, Scotland in the experiments of Ian
Wilmut and Keith Campbell
– China plants its own Bt corn in commercial scale.
 Modern Biotechnology
• Late 1990 to early 2000
– First complete animal
(Caenorhabditis elegans)
genome sequenced
– A rough draft of the
human genome map is
produced, showing the
locations of more than
30,000 genes in 1998.
– Development of “Golden
Rice” by Profs Ingo
Potrykus (ETH Zurich)
and Peter Beyer (Univ of
Freiburg) in 1999.
 Modern Biotechnology
• Late 1990 to early 2000
– The first plant genome was
sequenced – Thale cress
(Arabidopsis thaliana)
– Human cloning was
outlawed in the U.S. and the
first concerns over the use
of human stem cells in
research begin to arise.
 Modern Biotechnology
• 21st century
– 2001
o The genetic code of Drosophila was published
– 2002
o DNA of rice was sequenced
– 2003
o Human Genome Project completed
 Modern Biotechnology
• 21st century
– 2006
o National Institutes of Health
begins a 10-year, 10,000-
patient study using a genetic
test that predicts breast-
cancer recurrence and
guides treatment.
– 2010
o Researchers at the J. Craig
Venter Institute created the
first synthetic cell
o Harvard created Lung-on-a-
Chip
 Modern Biotechnology
• 21st century
– 2011
o Trachea derived from
stem cells transplanted
into human recipient.
o Advances in 3-D printing
technology lead to “skin-
printing.”
– 2012
• XNA, a polymer
synthesized by molecular
biologists Vitor Pinheiro
and Philipp Holliger of the
Medical Research Council
in the United Kingdom
 Modern Biotechnology
• 21st century
– 2013
o CRISPR technology was formally
introduced
o Bt brinjal approved for release in
Bangladesh
– 2014
• Scientists created new DNA bases
other than A, T, G and C
– 2015 – 2016
o Scientific research using CRISPR
intensified
o CRISPR edited malaria resistant
mosquitoes
– 2017
o Human cells grown inside pig embryos
 Modern Biotechnology
• 21st century
– 2018
o High adoption of biotech crops with 191.7 million
hectares worldwide including maize, soybean, canola,
cotton, alfalfa, sugar beets, papaya, squash, eggplant,
potatoes, and apples
o Canada and the United States approved Golden Rice
for cultivation and consumption
o Biotech sugar beets were planted in the USA and
Canada
o Brazil planted the first insect resistant (IR) sugarcane
o Indonesia planted the first drought tolerant sugarcane
o Australia planted the first high oleic acid safflower
 Modern Biotechnology
– 2019
o Birth of first CRISPR edited twin girls immune to HIV
in the experiment conducted by Dr. He Jiankui and
colleges of the Southern University of Science and
Technology of Shenzhen, China.
 Modern Biotechnology
• 21st century
– 2019
o Calyxt produced the first gene edited crop – soybean
with improved oil content. The oil from the crop is
already being sold and used in Minnesota, USA.
 Status and Development of Biotechnology in
the Philippines
• 1965
– Production of Coenzyme Q-10 – earliest known patent
for biotechnology
– Coenzyme Q-10 - produced through the fermentation
and the process for preparing food and feed yeast from
strawberry yeast, Rhodotolura pilamanae
 Status and Development of Biotechnology in
the Philippines
• 1960 – 1970
– UP-CA developed
propagation technique using
embryo rescue for mutant
macapuno coconut and
orchids
 Status and Development of Biotechnology in
the Philippines
• 1979
– Establishment of the National Institutes of
Biotechnology and Applied Microbiology (BIOTECH) is
established at the UPLB by Pres. Ferdinand Marcos
 Status and Development of Biotechnology in
the Philippines
• 1981
– The Philippines acceded to the Budapest Treaty on the
Deposit of Microorganisms for the Purposes of Patent
Procedure
– For patenting inventions utilizing microorganisms
 Status and Development of Biotechnology in
the Philippines
• 1986 – 1992
– DOST identified biotechnology as a flagship of leading
edge technologies “as a strategic tool for achieving
sustained economic development” during the term of
Pres. Corazon Aquino
• 1987
– Formulation of genetic engineering guidelines by public
sector scientists
• 1990
– Creation of the National Committee on Biosafety of the
Philippines (NCBP) by E.O. 430 to review and monitor
R and D involving GMOs
 Status and Development of Biotechnology in
the Philippines
• 1990s
– Marker technologies for use in
crop improvement are developed
at the Institute of Plant Breeding
(IPB) and PhilRice
• 1992
– The Seed Industry Development
Act of 1992, which mandated IPB
to lead plant biotechnology
activities was enacted.
• 1995
– Creation of the National
Biotechnology Network under the
UP System by Pres. Fidel Ramos
 Status and Development of Biotechnology in
the Philippines
• 1997
– Approval of the 5-year Crop
Biotechnology Program
– The Agriculture and Fishery
Modernization Act (AFMA) was enacted
• 1998
– Formation of the Papaya Biotechnology
Network – to develop virus-resistant and
delayed-ripening papaya varieties
• 1999
– Implementation of the DOST-PCARRD
Crop Biotechnology Program (Coconut,
Mango, Papaya, Corn and Banana)
 Status and Development of Biotechnology in
the Philippines
• December 1999 – March 2000
– Bt corn was first field tested in South
Cotabato by Monsanto Philippines
• 2000
– Institutionalization of biotechnology
in government programs :
o Strengthening of the Philippine
Carabao Center
o Establishment of the DA
Biotechnology Program
Implementation Unit
– Development of papaya transgenic
plantlets at IPB
– Greenhouse testing of bacterial leaf
blight resistant Xa21 rice conducted
at PhilRice
 Status and Development of Biotechnology in
the Philippines
• 2001
– Multilocational field trials of Bt corn
by Monsanto Philippines and
Pioneer Hi-Bred International
– Pres. Gloria Arroyo issued policy
statement on safe and responsible
use of modern biotechnology
• 2002
– Philippines’ IP rush: 456
biotechnology patent applications
• April 2002
– DA Secretary Leonardo
Montemayor issued D.A.
Administrative Order No. 8 which
governs the import and release into
the environment of transgenic crops
 Status and Development of Biotechnology in
the Philippines
• December 2002
– Commercial planting of corn MON810 was approved –
first GM food crop approved for commercial planting in
Asia
• 2003 – 2004
– Significant adoption of Bt corn planting (11, 000 ha)
– The DA adopts insect resistance management strategy
for Bt technology specific for Philippine conditions.
– The Bureau of Food and Drugs prepared for the
regulation of GM-derived processed foods.
• 2004
– The Philippines has planted significant hectarage to Bt
corn
 Status and Development of Biotechnology in
the Philippines
• 2005
– The second biotech crop, a herbicide-tolerant crop, was
approved for cultivation in the country
– The Bureau of Plant Industry approved commercial
release of 3 GMOs and importation of 21 GMOs
– Pres. Gloria Arroyo issued Proclamation No. 861
establishing National Biotechnology Week
– The Philippines was declared as a biotech mega
country by the International Service for the Acquisition
of Agri-Biotech Applications (ISAAA)
• 2005 – 2007
– Bt eggplant completed its contained laboratory trials
 Status and Development of Biotechnology in
the Philippines
• March 2006
– The National Biosafety Framework was established
(E.O. 514)
• October 2006
– The Philippine Senate ratified the Cartagena Protocol
on Biosafety to the United Nations Convention on
Biological Biodiversity.
• 2007
– Institutionalization of the National Biotechnology Week
(Presidential Proclamation 1414)
• 2008
– Creation of Biosafety Clearing House (BCH) Pilipinas
 Status and Development of Biotechnology in
the Philippines
• 2009
– Completion of Bt Eggplant Limited
Confined Trial
• 2010
– Completion of Bt Cotton Confined
Field Testing
– DA-BPI has issued permits for Bt
eggplant multilocation field trials for
three sites in March 2010 and for
the remaining four trial sites in June
2010.
• 2011
– Completion of Golden Rice Confined
Field Testing
– Launching of the Philippine Genome
Center
 Status and Development of Biotechnology in
the Philippines
• 2012
– Philippine area planted to
biotech maize reached 750,000
ha
– Bt eggplant completed its multi-
location trials
• 2013
– Court of Appeals (CA) issued a
decision on granting the petition
for a Writ of Kalikasan against
the Bt eggplant field trial.
 Status and Development of Biotechnology in
the Philippines
• 2015
– Field trials for the genetically
modified eggplant were
suspended by the Court of
Appeals
– The Philippine Supreme Court
declared DA AO8 null and void
and any application for contained
use, field testing, propagation
and commercialization, and
importation of GMOs was
temporarily suspended
– The Philippines was the 12th
largest country planted with GE
crops (800 ha for GM corn)
according to ISAAA
 Status and Development of Biotechnology in
the Philippines
• 2016
– The suspension for GMO testing was lifted
• September and October 2019
– Golden Rice Field Trials were completed
• December 2019
– Golden Rice was approved for direct use
 Status and Development of Biotechnology in
the Philippines
• Attempts to commercialize other biotech crops are conducted with
focus on Bt cotton, and public sector biotech crops: Bt eggplant,
Golden Rice and delayed ripening and papaya ringspot virus (PRSV)
resistant papaya.
• Biotech researches in other crops including banana, abaca, rice,
tomato, among others, are being conducted in research institutions to
address problems of food security and climate change.
• Development of the fruit and shoot borer-resistant eggplant (Bt
eggplant) led by the IPB-UPLB). It. is expected to address 54%-70%
yield loss brought about by the fruit and shoot borer, as well reduce
insecticide spraying by up to 70-80 times per season
• The IPB-UPLB’s project to fight ring spot virus (RSV) on Philippine
papaya is moving forward on field tests and insect resistance studies.
The IPB estimates the GE papaya will address the 60-100% yield
losses due to the papaya ring spot virus.
 Biotechnology and its Relation to Other
Scientific Disciplines
• There has been increased
activity and research
between different
agricultural areas with
common research
techniques and goals
– Plant Science
– Animal Science
– Environmental Science
– Health/Agri-Medicine
 Biotechnology and its Relation to Other
Scientific Disciplines
1. Plant Science
• Wide scale production of transgenic plants impacting
agriculture
 Biotechnology and its Relation to Other
Scientific Disciplines
2. Animal Science
• Increased use of methods of in vitro fertilization and
artificial insemination improve selected breeding
programs
• Knockout Animals
o Used to determine the function of specific genes, by
creating animals without these genes
 Biotechnology and its Relation to Other
Scientific Disciplines
3. Environmental Science
• Bioremediation- Use of living organisms to remove
environmental contaminants from water or soil.
o Phytoremediation – specialized type of
Bioremediation utilizing plants to clean soil and water
in contaminated sites.
 Biotechnology and its Relation to Other
Scientific Disciplines
3. Environmental Science
• Indicator species
o Plant or animal used to indicate increasing levels of
contaminants or antigens in an environment.
o Often used to prevent dangerous levels of exposure
to important plants and animals in a habitat or area.
o Biosensors have recently begun to replace indicator
species.
 Biotechnology and its Relation to Other
Scientific Disciplines
4. Health/Agri-Science
• Pharming
o The creation of plants and animals capable of
producing medical substances
• The use of biological barriers to prevent the spread of
harmful microorganisms that could contaminate food
sources
 Biotechnology and its Relation to Other
Scientific Disciplines
4. Health/Agri-Science
• DNA analysis/paternity testing has emerged as a
technique to test the genetic ancestry of animals
 Biotechnology and Plant Breeding

• Conventional plant breeding

was the methodology used
to obtain increased
production in crops to
sustain mankind in the past
century.
• Development of high-
yielding varieties in the
1960’s-70’s – Green
Revolution
• In the last 20 years, novel
techniques of gene transfer
have been developed.
 Biotechnology and Plant Breeding
• Biotechnology provides new tools for plant breeding and
conservation
– Marker-assisted breeding and genomics
o Offers novel approaches to improve efficiency of
selection
o Useful in the prediction and tracking of valuable
alleles
o Can be useful in studies of diversity of important
crops
– Recombinant DNA and transformation techniques
– Bioprospecting for novel genes
 Biotechnology and Plant Breeding

Traditional Plant Breeding Genetic Engineering

Limited to exchanges between the Allows the direct transfer of one or
same or closely related species just a few genes, between either
closely or distantly related
organisms
Little or no guarantee of any Guaranteed gene transfer through
particular gene combination from the use of selection markers
the million of crosses generated.

Undesirable genes can be Allows plants to be modified by

transferred along with desirable removing or switching off particular
genes genes

Takes a long time to achieve Crop improvement can be

desirable results. achieved in a shorter time
 Importance of Biotechnology
• Growing world population
– Current world
population: 8 billion
– Philippine population:
119 million
• Decrease in prime
agricultural lands
• Yield plateau in cereal
grains
• The frequent climatic and
extreme temperature
changes
 Importance of Biotechnology
• Dwindling water resources
• Falling energy sources
• Food shortages
– 30 – 40% of all crops are
lost due to pest and
disease before these are
harvested
 Importance of Biotechnology
• Biotechnology is one of the alternative systems to meet the
global challenge of producing for a growing world population
at the same time protecting the natural and human
resources
 Benefits of Biotechnology
• Agricultural biotechnology
– Herbicide, insect and
disease resistance
– Abiotic stress tolerance
– Yield increase
– Improved food products
• Longer shelf life
• Better taste
• Enhanced nutritional
quality
 Benefits of Biotechnology
• Medical advances
– Production of
pharmaceuticals
– Improved methods in
disease diagnostics
• An enhanced environment
– Reduced pesticide use
– Lower energy
requirements
– Cleaner water
– Less soil erosion
Modern Biotechnology Products

Biotech chymosin / Biotech rennet

Enzyme used to curdle milk products
First biotechnology food product approved
in the United States
•Transgene: genetically engineered
enzyme

Bovine somatotropin (BST)

Used to increase milk production
•Transgene: genetically engineered
enzyme
Modern Biotechnology Products

Insulin
First commercial biotech product
Reliable, inexpensive source of insulin
•Transgene: genetically engineered
enzyme

Insect and Disease Resistant Crops

Corn, soybean, cotton, canola, eggplant
and other crops
•Transgene: Bacillus thuringiensis
Modern Biotechnology Products

Herbicide Resistant Crops

Round-up Ready Crops (soybean, corn,
canola)
•Transgene: modified EPSP synthase or
phosphinothricin-N-acetyltransferase

Papaya Ringspot Virus Resistant

Papaya
Contains a viral gene that encodes for the
coat protein of papaya ringspot virus
(PRSV). This protein provides the papaya
plant with built-in protection against PRSV.
•Transgene: Virus Coat Protein
Modern Biotechnology Products
Mosaic Virus and Zucchini Yellow Mosaic
Virus Resistant Squash
Contain the coat protein genes of mosaic virus
(WMV) and zucchini yellow mosaic virus
(ZYMV)
This biotech approach bypasses aphid control
•Transgene: Virus Coat Protein

Sunflower
White mold resistance
•Transgene: Oxalate oxidase of wheat
Modern Biotechnology Products

Golden Rice
Increased vitamin A content
•Transgene: three pathway enzymes

Biofortified crops
Rice, corn, cassava, wheat, etc.
Crops with enhanced nutrient content
Modern Biotechnology Products

Arctic Apples
Non-browning apples
Turned off polyphenol oxidase enzyme

Innate Potatoes
Non-browning potatoes
Turned off polyphenol oxidase enzyme
Modern Biotechnology Products
Super Salmon
Grows twice as fast as ordinary salmon and
is resistant to cold
•Transgene: protein coding sequence
from Chinook Salmon and antifreeze
protein from Ocean Pout

Biosteel
Spider silk expressed in goats
Used to make soft body bullet proof vests
(Nexia)
•Transgene: Spider web protein
 Future Prospects of Biotechnology
o Vaccines and edible vaccines
 Vaccines for herpes, hepatitis C, AIDS,
malaria
 Edible vaccines
• A transgenic plant with a pathogen protein
gene is developed
• Potato, banana, and tomato are targets
• Humans eat the plant
• The body produces antibodies against
pathogen protein
• Humans are “immunized” against the
pathogen
• Target diseases: Diarrhea, Hepatitis B,
Measles
 Future Prospects of Biotechnology
o Vaccines and edible vaccines
 Future Prospects of Biotechnology
o Tooth decay – engineered Streptococcus mutans, the
bacteria that destroys enamel
 Future Prospects of Biotechnology
o Finding cures for human diseases such as cancer and
HIV through complete mapping of the human genes
 Future Prospects of Biotechnology
o Gene editing for humans, plants, and animals
• Either for cosmetic, medical, or agricultural uses
 Updates in Biotechnology
ISAAA Briefs
Brief 56

Executive Summary

Breaking Barriers with Breeding: A Primer on New

Breeding Innovations for Food Security