13.2 - Biotechnology

Meaning of Biotechnology

Biotechnology is a field that utilises technology or methods to manipulate organisms for the production of biological products.
Its aims are to:
- Improve the quality of livestock and crops.
- Develop the application of microorganisms for specific purposes.
Biotechnology activities include industrial processes involving microorganisms, improvement of agricultural products, biotechnology of desert and dry regions, bioinformatics and computer science, bioterrorism and biological warfare, medicine and human health, marine biotechnology, environmental biotechnology, law, ethics and philosophy, and food and nutrition.
Green, white, yellow and blue biotechnology are the four main activities.

Gene therapy treats or prevents genetic diseases.
A normal gene is inserted into the patient to replace the abnormal gene:
1. Identify a cell with an abnormal gene.
2. Insert the normal gene using a virus.
3. The cell performs normal functions.
Diseases that can be treated include cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy and a few types of cancer.
The first successful gene therapy was performed in 1990 on Ashanti DeSilva, who had ADA-SCID—a genetic disease that interfered with her immune system.
Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) technology is being actively researched to edit genomes during gene therapy.

DNA profiling is a forensic technique used to identify individuals based on their DNA.
Each individual’s DNA is unique except between identical twins; a human DNA set also differs from animal DNA.
An individual can be identified using DNA from blood, semen or skin.
Applications:
- Identify criminals.
- Identify genetic diseases.
- Settle paternity and maternity disputes.
- Determine the suitability of organ donors and recipients.
Steps:
1. Obtain a blood, semen or skin sample from an investigation scene.
2. Extract DNA from the sample.
3. Use restriction enzymes to cut the DNA into fragments of different sizes.
4. Separate the DNA fragments by gel electrophoresis.
5. Transfer the fragments from the gel to a nylon membrane.
6. Add radioactive probes and place X-ray film on the nylon membrane.
7. Process the X-ray film to reveal DNA bands that form the DNA profile.
A DNA profile is strong evidence in a criminal case when the sample is obtained and processed correctly and consensually, analysed meticulously and transparently, interpreted precisely, and reported accurately to the jury and judge.

A gene that produces Bt toxins from the soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis is inserted into a plant’s genome.
A pest feeds on the plant, and the Bt toxins affect its digestive system and kill it.
Bt crops include cotton, corn and brinjal.
Bt cotton reduces pesticide use and cost while increasing cotton yield.

Bioremediation uses bacteria to clean up environmental pollutants.
It treats oil spills in the ocean because bacteria can degrade most molecules in crude oil and purified petroleum products.
Alcanivorax borkumensis depends on oil as its energy source and is widely used to treat oil spills.

Biotechnology benefits agriculture, industry, nutrition, medicine and other fields.
It increases yields in food, agriculture and medicine and develops a country’s economy, especially the industrial sector.

Identifies criminals using tissues or body fluids such as blood, semen, skin or hair follicles.