Scribd
Upload
41 views22 pages

Intro To Biotech 111611

This document provides an introduction to biotechnology. It defines biotechnology as the manipulation of living organisms and organic material to benefit human needs, and provides examples such as using yeast in bread making, bacteria to produce antibiotics, and cloning of plants and animals. The document outlines how biotechnology is used to meet basic human needs like food and health, and involves many scientific disciplines and fields. It provides examples of biotechnology applications in areas like agriculture, medicine, food processing, and more.

Uploaded by

Kokey Kokeyy
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
41 views22 pages

Intro To Biotech 111611

This document provides an introduction to biotechnology. It defines biotechnology as the manipulation of living organisms and organic material to benefit human needs, and provides examples such as using yeast in bread making, bacteria to produce antibiotics, and cloning of plants and animals. The document outlines how biotechnology is used to meet basic human needs like food and health, and involves many scientific disciplines and fields. It provides examples of biotechnology applications in areas like agriculture, medicine, food processing, and more.

Uploaded by

Kokey Kokeyy
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 22

Introduction to Biotechnology

What is Biotechnology?
Biotechnology is the manipulation of

living organisms and organic material to serve human needs. Examples:


Yeast

in bread making and alcohol production Use of beneficial bacteria (penicillin) to kill harmful organisms Cloning of plants and animals Artificial insemination

Products of Biotechnology

Products of Biotechnology

Biotechnology
Biotechnology helps to

meet our basic needs. Food, clothing, shelter, health and safety

Biotechnology
Improvements by using

science Science helps in production plants, animals and other organisms

Biotechnology
Also used in

maintaining a good environment that promotes our well being

Biotechnology
Using scientific processes

to get new organisms or new products from organisms.

Biotechnology
Large area
Includes many

approaches and methods in science and technology

Office of Tech Assessment Definition


Any technique that uses

living organisms or substances from those organisms to make or modify a product, to improve plants or animals.

Cont.
Or to develop

microorganisms for specific uses.

Impact of Biotechnology
Genetically modified organisms (GMOs)

are consumed by millions of people (especially Americans) EVERY DAY.


Almost

56% of all soybean plantings worldwide are genetically engineered (much higher in the US)

Impact of Biotechnology
Genetically modified crops were

produced on more than 167 million acres in 18 countries in 2003, a 15% increase from 2002
The

US was the largest single producer with more than 60% of the total acreage in production.

Multidisciplinary
Involves many disciplines

or branches of learning Includes all areas of Life Sciences

Diverse Fields Contribute to Molecular Biotechnology

Input

Output

Biotech examples
Medicine
Agriculture

Environment
Forestry

Food and beverage

processing

Applications
Agriculture
Plant breeding to improve resistance to pests, diseases, drought and salt conditions Mass propagation of plant clones Bioinsecticide development modification of plants to improve nutritional and processing characteristics

Chemical Industry
Production of bulk chemicals and solvents such as ethanol, citric acid, acetone and butanol Synthesis of fine specialty chemicals such as enzymes, amino acids, alkaloids and antibiotics

Medicine
Development of novel therapeutic molecules for medical treatments Diagnostics Drug delivery systems Tissue engineering of replacement organs Gene therapy

Applications II
Food Industry
Production of bakers' yeast, cheese, yogurt and fermented foods such as vinegar and soy sauce Brewing and wine making Production of flavors and coloring agents

Veterinary Practice
Vaccine production Fertility control Livestock breeding

Environment
Biological recovery of heavy metals from mine tailings and other industrial sources Bioremediation of soil and water polluted with toxic chemicals Sewage and other organic waste treatment

Cloning
Process of producing a new

organism from cells or tissues of existing organism. 1997 cloned sheep Dolly in Edinburgh Scotland

Genetic Engineering
Changing the genetic

information in a cell Specific trait of one organism may be isolated,cut, and moved into the cell of another organism

Transgenic
Results of Gen. Eng. Are

said to be transgenic Genetic material in an organism has been altered

Potential Benefits From Biotechnology


More accurate disease diagnosis and treatment Improve crop yield, disease and stress

resistance Microbial production of chemicals, enzymes, food additives, pharmaceuticals, polymers, etc. Livestock with enhanced genetic attributes Elimination of pollutants and waste materials

Potential Social Concerns and Consequences of Biotechnology


Organisms harmful to other organisms or

environment Organisms reduce natural genetic diversity Genetic engineering of humans? Genetic privacy issues Black hole for available financial support for research Limited availability to poorer nations Undermine traditional agricultural practices Quest for profit undermines free exchange of knowledge

You might also like