What Does Biotechnology Entail?

What field/program are you studying at Guilford Technical College and why did you choose it?

Biotechnology is not just a new fad. Prakash and Conko stated, “And a review of 81 separate research projects conducted over 15 years- all funded by the European Union- found that bioengineered crops and foods are at least as safe for the environment and for human consumption as conventional crops, and in some cases even safer.” (Prakash and Conko 359) This sentence summarizes an important

Biotechnology, at its simplest is technology based on biology – it employs the use of cellular and bimolecular processes to develop products and technologies. The variety of living cells used for their biochemical talents range from simple singled-cells bacteria and yeast to complex multi-cellular organisms, such as plants and humans. Over the years, biotechnology has been a rapidly developing area of

“Biotechnology has been used for more than 6,000 years for lots of interesting and practical purposes: making food such as bread and cheese, preserving dairy products and fermenting beer” (Biotechnology - Promising a Brighter Future for the World). Although we do not always realize it, biotechnology is a huge part of our everyday lives, from the medicine we use to keep us healthy, the fuel we use to take us where we need to go, and even the food we eat and the sources it comes from, biotechnology already plays, and must continue to play, an invaluable role in meeting our needs. Biotechnology uses cellular and bio-molecular processes to develop technologies and products that help improve our

2. Biotechnology means "the exploitation of biological processes for industrial and other purposes, especially the genetic manipulation of microorganisms for the production of antibiotics, hormones, etc." This basically gives off what Biotechnology is. In simpler terms Biotechnology studies living organisms and how it could b useful to us humans. The knowledge analyzed from the organisms allows researches and scientist to transfer genes between other cells and different organisms. The use of this is to help analyze these things to produce products that would be useful for the economy. There is two basic Biotechnologies and these are Traditional Biotechnology

Biotechnology has been around since man learned how to create beer with grain. However, biotechnology has many risks. It makes some crops not grow in certain places and cloning that could cause serious problems.

The intervention of biotechnology in life takes two forms of therapy and enhancement. Andrew Lustig, author of the article Enhancement Technologies and the Person: Christian Perspectives, defines both accordingly, saying that “therapy is generally defined as the prevention or cure of disease, or as the restoration or approximation of return to normal physiological function. Enhancement is defined as the alteration of individual (or group) characteristics, traits, and abilities (both health- and non-health-related) beyond a measurable baseline of normal function” (41). Therapy is focused on restoration of our integrity while assisting natural physiology, whereas enhancement is focused on alteration of our physiology. For example, say a

During my childhood, I lived in village where more or less every people depend on agriculture for their livelihood. I saw how hardship people going through during plowing field, sowing seeds hoping the blessing of harvest. Hence, they did not produce expected amount of crop because of few drawbacks likes low productive varieties, water crisis and so on. Even sometimes crops are completely destroyed by sudden drought, over rain or outbreak of viral disease.. Suffering from frequent disaster, my family moved into city finding new way of livelihood. Then I thought if it possible to develop plant required less water, could fight against pest and might grow without plowing. Later, I was taught biology in school and learnt how living system works and was fascinated through the process by which we could manipulate plant life to use in human welfare. Thus, I realized it is possible to minimize the sufferings of farmer of my community by developing noble varieties which could resist against the drought, disease or other stresses caused by natural calamities. This urge drives me to study biotechnology in my undergraduate.

Through studying the successes of humanities and advancements in science, one thinks of The Great Space Race or the invention of the light bulb. In modern day science, studies have become so advanced that many don’t consider GMOs, or “genetically modified organisms,” as with that standard let alone know what the are. [1]A GMO refers to plants or animal that have been created through gene splicing techniques of biotechnology. With this technology at our disposal, humanity has made significant progress in splicing, as well as coming up with ways to deviate some diseases and safer ways to test these possibilities and theories. This was then complemented by the growing need for GMOs across the world, yet GMOs did not satiate everyone’s appetite. Because of their chemical and artificial process, paired with institutions seeking to make a profit, much controversy has been raised in an an effort to reveal the darker side and realities of GMOS.

The advancement in the techniques employed in the field of biotechnology in the recent years have enthused many hopes and fears in the society. The application of biotechnology in agriculture and food production, and its possible impact on the environment is the main concern with the public. Although the scientists feel that the GM foods pose no real threat as opposed to the normal food crop yet the release of genetically modified organisms into the environment and their use in food production has created a much debatable concern and interest in the general public and media. It has provoked extreme reaction from the advocacy group as well. The genetically modified organisms are here to stay as these would help to overcome food shortage

Food biotechnology is a branch of food science that works to improve foods and its production. Biotechnological processes which could be used to improve the food production are industrial fermentation, plant cultures and genetic engineering.

Biotechnology is a broad term. Basically, it is the “tools and techniques [opening] new research avenues for discovering how healthy bodies work and what goes wrong when problems arise”(Siedler para. 1). It covers controversial technology and procedure, like genetic engineering and gene therapy. It is controversial because it can affect everyone(Jeremy para. 16). As a consequence, the development of biotechnology has been a “slow, quiet progress”(Kirsner para. 3) because society may or may not recognize the repercussion of it. However, scientist like Smith- a previous chief for the Cambridge biotech company, Genzyme- continues to develop biotechnology(para. 1). Because biotechnology can be controversial, yet scientist continues to develop it;

“10 Reasons We Need Biotech Foods and Crops.” Genetic Literacy Project, PDF. 26 October 2016, https://www.geneticliteracyproject.org/wpcontent/uploads/2013/07/Biotechnology-infographic_7.29.13-clean.pdf. PDF.

Biotechnology is blazing a new trail for the use of commercial and agricultural land. Genetically modified crops are being harvested and placed into our food chain. Currently, there are many benefits of genetically modified food, but the current risks of this newfound technology are undefined. The on-going debate of biotechnology shows conflict between, Agri-biotech investors and their affiliated scientists who consider agricultural biotechnology as a solution to food shortage, and independent scientists, environmentalists, farmers and consumers who warn that genetically modified food introduces new risks to food security, the environment and human health such as loss of biodiversity (Magharri, Mohajer, and Ali). Genetically modified foods could benefit mankind greatly, as long as the reward outweighs the potential risk involved with genetic modification.

Innovation in production changed from chemistry to biotechnology: Biotechnology is a new trend for agriculture industry such as development of genetically engineered crops. The new crops enable business to meet consumer’s preference. Especially, modern consumers not only pursue food’s taste and quality, but also safety and nutritional value.