Basic Biotechnology Module 1
Basic Biotechnology Module 1
Basic Biotechnology Module 1
Introduction to Biotechnology
Biotechnology, as the word suggests, is combination of biology and technology. Biotechnology is the
use of technology to use, modify or upgrade the part or whole of biological system for industrial and human
welfare.
Biotechnology is defined as:
1) “Biotechnology is the application of biological organisms, system or process to manufacturing and
service industries." (British or processes to manufacturing and Biotechnologist)
2) “Biotechnology is the integrated use of biochemistry, microbiology, and engineering sciences in order to
achieve technological (industrial) application of the capabilities of micro-organisms, cultured tissue
cells.” (European Federation of Biotechnology).
3) “Biotechnology is the controlled use of biological agents, such as microorganisms or cellular
components.”(US National Science Foundation)
Bio-Technology is the use of living things especially cells and bacteria for production of various products
for benefiting human beings. It is a combination of various technologies, applied together to living cells,
including not only biology, but also subjects like mathematics, physics, chemistry and engineering. Its
application ranges from agriculture (Animal Husbandry, Cropping system, Soil science and Soil Conservation,
Plant Physiology, Seed Technology etc and Crop Management) to industry (food, pharmaceutical, chemical,
byproducts, textiles etc.), medicine, nutrition, environmental conservation, Cell Biology, making it one of the
fastest growing fields. Biotechnology is to modify genetic structure in animals and plants to improve them in
desired way for getting beneficial products.
History
People were using biotechnology techniques thousands years before but they did not named their
working field as biotechnology. The name biotechnology was given by Hungarian engineer Karoly Ereky in
1919 to describe a technology based on converting raw materials into a more useful product.
The ancient Egyptians made wine using fermentation techniques based on an understanding of the
microbiological processes that occur in the absence of oxygen.
Egyptians also applied fermentation technologies to make dough rise during bread-making. Due in part
to this application, there were more than 50 varieties of bread in Egypt more than 4,000 years ago.
In wetter parts of the Nile Valley, Egyptians also bred geese and cattle to meet their society's nutritional
and dietary needs.
Yogurt was made at homes but the reason of the conversion of milk into yogurt was unknown to old
people. Later researches showed that yogurt is made due to the action of yeast added to milk; which is
also biotechnology as it uses a micro-organism for benefiting human.
People have used selective breeding to improve production of crops and livestock to use them for food.
In selective breeding, organisms with desirable characteristics are mated to produce offspring with the
same characteristics. For example, this technique was used with corn to produce the largest and sweetest
crops.
Modern biotechnology
The Second World War became a major impediment in scientific discoveries. After the end of the
second world war some, very crucial discoveries were reported, which paved the path for modern biotechnology
and to its current status.
In 1953, JD Watson and FHC Crick for the first time cleared the mysteries around the DNA as a genetic
material, by giving a structural model of DNA, popularly known as, ‘Double Helix Model of DNA’.
This model was able to explain various phenomena related to DNA replication, and its role in
inheritance.
Plant products of biotechnology have been available in the market for 23 years in 2018. These modified
crops look like their traditional counterparts, but they possess special characteristics that make them better.
These crops offer several benefits both farmers and consumers. Farmers gain higher crop yields and have
increased flexibility in management practices while consumers have “healthier crops” (i.e., crops grown with
fewer pesticides and/or with healthier nutritional characteristics).
Plant products of biotechnology approved for food use have been modified to contain traits such as:
• Insect resistance
• Disease resistance
• Herbicide tolerance
• Altered nutritional profile
• Enhanced storage life
Examples of plant products of biotechnology
Product Trait
Alfalfa Herbicide tolerance, altered lignin production
Apple Non-browning
Bean Virus disease resistance
Canola Herbicide tolerance, modified oil/fatty acid, pollination control system, phytase production
Cotton Herbicide tolerance, insect resistance, low gossypol
Eggplant Insect resistance
Flax,
Herbicide tolerance
Linseed
Abiotic stress tolerance, altered growth/yield, herbicide tolerance, insect resistance, modified
Maize product quality (modified alpha amylase, lysine boost, phytase production), pollination control
system
Melon Delayed ripening
Papaya Disease resistance
Pineapple Delayed ripening, modified fruit color
Plum Disease resistance
Disease resistance, herbicide tolerance, insect resistance, modified product quality (modified
Potato
starch, reduced acrylamide potential, non-bruising), fungal disease resistance
Herbicide tolerance, insect resistance, anti-allergy, modified product quality (biofortified with
Rice
Provitamin A, anti-allergy)
Rose Modified flower color
Safflower Modified product quality
Herbicide tolerance, insect resistance, modified product quality, altered growth/yield, abiotic
Soybean
stress tolerance, modified oil/fatty acid
Squash Disease resistance
Sugar beet Herbicide tolerance
Sugar cane Insect resistance, drought tolerance
Sweet
Disease resistance
pepper
Tomato Disease resistance, insect resistance, delayed ripening, delayed fruit softening
Wheat Herbicide tolerance
BIOTECH SOYBEAN
Soybean is the oil crop of greatest economic relevance in the world. Its beans contain
proportionally more essential amino acids than meat, thus making it one of the most
important food crops today. Processed soybeans are important ingredients in many food
products.
Herbicide tolerant soybean
Herbicide tolerant soybean varieties contain a gene that provides resistance to one of two broad
spectrum herbicides.This modified soybean provides better weed control and reduces crop injury. It also
improves farm efficiency by optimizing yield, using arable land more efficiently, saving time for the farmer,
and increasing the flexibility of crop rotation. It also encourages adoption of no-till farming - an important part
of soil conservation practice. These varieties are the same as other soybeans in nutrition, composition, and in the
way they are processed into food and feed. *Approved (for import or cultivation) in the following countries:
Argentina, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, European Union, India,
Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Nigeria, Paraguay, Philippines, Russia, Singapore,
South Africa, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, United States of America (USA), Uruguay,
and Vietnam.
This biotech soybean exhibits resistance to lepidopteran pests through the production of Cry1Ac protein.
Insect resistant soybean was developed to reduce or replace high insecticide applications and at the same time
maintain soybean yield potential.*Approved (for import or cultivation) in the following countries: Argentina,
Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, EU, India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New
Zealand, Nigeria, Paraguay, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand,
Turkey USA, Uruguay, Uruguay.
BIOTECH MAIZE
Maize is one of the three most important grains of the world. It is used as
livestock feeds, processed as cooking oil and food additives, and currently as
feedstocks for biofuels.
Herbicide-tolerant maize
These maize varieties work in a similar manner as herbicide-tolerant soybean.
They allow growers better flexibility in using certain herbicides to control
weeds that can damage crops.*Approved (for import or cultivation) in the
following countries: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China Colombia,
Costa Rica, Cuba, EU, Honduras, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico,
New Zealand, Nigeria, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, South
Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, USA, Uruguay, Vietnam, and Zambia.
This modified maize contains a built-in insecticidal protein from a naturally occurring soil
microorganism (Bacillus thuringiensis) that gives maize plants season-long protection from corn borers. This
means most farmers do not have to spray insecticide to protect maize from harmful pests, which can cause
significant damage and yield loss in many areas. Bt maize also reduces toxin contamination arising from fungal
attack on the damaged grain. The Bt protein has been used safely as an organic insect control agent for over 50
years. *Approved (for import or cultivation) in the following countries: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada,
Chile, China, Colombia, Egypt, European Union, Honduras, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New
Zealand, Nigeria, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea,
Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, USA, Uruguay, Vietnam, and Zambia.
BIOTECH RICE
Rice is life for more than half of humanity. It is the staple food for over 3 billion
people, more than 90% of whom are Asians.
Herbicide-tolerant rice
These rice varieties work in a similar manner to herbicide-tolerant soybean. They
contain a gene that provides resistance to one of two broad spectrums, and
environmentally benign herbicides. *Approved (for import or cultivation) in the
following countries: Australia, Canada, Colombia, Honduras, Mexico, New
Zealand, Philippines, Russia, South Africa, and the USA.
BIOTECH TOMATO
Delayed-ripening tomato
The delayed-ripening tomato became the first genetically modified food crop to be produced
in a developed country. These tomatoes spend more days on the vine than other tomatoes,
thus resulting in better flavor. Furthermore, the longer shelf life has commercial advantages
in harvesting and shipping that can reduce the costs of production. *Approved (for import or cultivation) in the
following countries: China, Canada, Mexico, and the USA.
BIOTECH COTTON
Herbicide-tolerant cotton
This cotton works in a manner similar to other biotech tolerant crops. For benefits, see
herbicide-tolerant soybean. *Approved (for import or cultivation) in the following
countries: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, EU,
Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Paraguay, Philippines, Singapore, South Africa,
South Korea, Taiwan and the USA.
Insect-resistant cotton
This modified cotton works in a manner similar to insect resistant corn. It contains a protein that provides the
plant with season-long protection from budworms and bollworms. The need for additional insecticide
applications for these pests is reduced or eliminated. *Approved (for import or cultivation) in the following
countries: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Canada, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, eSwatini,
Ethiopia, EU, India, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Myanmar, New Zealand, Nigeria, Pakistan, Paraguay,
Philippines, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Sudan, Taiwan, and the USA.
BIOTECH POTATO
Insect resistant potato
This biotech potato works like insect resistant corn. It contains a protein that provides
the plant with built-in protection from the Colorado potato beetle. Thus, this potato
needs no additional protection for this pest, benefiting farmers, consumers, and the
environment. *Approved (for import or cultivation) in the following countries:
Australia, Canada, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Philippines, Russia, South Korea,
and the USA.
BIOTECH ALFALFA
Herbicide-tolerant alfalfa
This alfalfa works in a manner similar to other HT crops.*Approved (for import or cultivation) in the following
countries: Argentina, Australia, Canada, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea
and the USA.
BIOTECH PAPAYA
Virus-resistant papaya
This Hawaiian-developed 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. This biotech papaya works in a manner
similar to virus resistant potato.*Approved (for import or cultivation) in the
following countries: Canada, China, Japan, and the USA.
BIOTECH SQUASH
Drawbacks of biotechnology
Ethics
Debates over the ethics of biotechnology have been ongoing for decades. The question mostly lies in
the morality of various practices employed in research and development. Ethics-related concerns
include cloning, xenotransplantation, stem cell research, fetal tissue use, and genetic modification of
organisms.
Uncertainty
The biggest concern over biotechnology is the uncertainty in its long term effects. The immediate
advantages are clear in many circumstances, but they may directly or indirectly impact the future in
unforeseen ways.
Cost
Balancing benefits of biotechnology with cost, especially in the field of medicine, can be one tricky
aspect. In terms of investment, the value of biotech products is often miscalculated with failure to
include the factors of risk and product development periods, which can ultimately lower the return on
profit. Thus far, biotech products are often more expensive and less practical than alternatives.
Too much altering of crops is destroying tha soul of natural farming
Genetically modified species can damage the natural ecosystem.
In short, Today’s biotechnology is continuing to help improve the way we live, and it helps us
do so more responsibly.
The result of biotechnology is a diverse and nearly endless set of practical biotechnology
products helping us live longer and healthier lives, have a more abundant and sustainable food supply.
Biotechnology has brought humanity to this level of comfort; the next question is, where will it take us?
Biotechnology has both beneficial and destructive potentials. It is, WE who should decide how to use
this technology to help humanity rather than to destroy it.
LEARNING ACTIVITY:
You have learned that Biotechnology contributes importance in humans, the society and the
environment. Now, aside from its importance, write down factors how biotechnology impacts humanity,
society and the environment. Write your answer in a clean sheet of bond paper (essay format). Make sure to
write it legibly, minimum of 200 word.
References: 18
ISAAA. 2018. Global Status of Commercialized Biotech/GM Crops: 2018. ISAAA Brief No. 54. ISAAA:
Ithaca, NY.. http://www.isaaa.org. ISAAA GM Approval Database. http://www.isaaa.org/gmapprovaldatabase/.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/284169166_Introduction_to_Biotechnology