Biotechnology
Biotechnology is the application of biological organisms, systems, or processes by various industries to help in the improvement of the value of materials and organism such pharmaceuticals, crops, and livestock (ASC-Chemistry for life). Biotechnology is not a new concept. It can be dated back to more than 6000 years ago (Biotechnology Industry
Organization) when man first began to breed and domesticate plants and animals. However, modern biotechnology involves more genetic engineering, where an organism's genome is altered. Because of this technology, Biotechnology may allow man to reshape the future of his planet. We may very well be able to reduce the imminent threat global climate change by modifying organisms so that they are better adapted to survive in their ecosystems, and improve quality of agricultural crops and livestock. With Genetic engineering, we may even be able to extend our lives, either by improving our diet and health care, or by genetic engineering. The future certainly looks bright every time a new discovery is made in the field of genetics.
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| Taken from: unidigest.com |
There are numerous impacts that climate change has on plants; both agricultural crops and those in their natural ecosystem. Warmer temperatures due to climate change may reduce yields from crops (EPA, USGCRP 2009). Extreme temperatures and high precipitation can prevent crops from growing. In 2008, it was estimated that farmers lost about USD $8 billion due to the Mississippi flood in USA (Karl, T.R. et al, USGCRP, 2009). Climate change also allow more pest and fungal infections to affect plants due to high humidity, which simply exacerbate the problems faced by the agricultural sector. However, with the use of genetic engineering, the problems mentioned above, and those not mentioned here, can be reduced. One example is that through genetic engineering, crops can be modified to produce toxins against best, e.g. Bt corn. This plant has a gene from bacteria that was inserted into the plant, so that the plant will produce the toxin. When insect pests feed on this plant, the ingest the toxin and die. Furthermore, plants can be genetically engineered to resist drought, or high salinity. This is certainly an effective way in which we can mitigate the effects of climate change on agriculture 2.
The second way, in which biotechnology can reshape the future of our lives on this planet, is by improving our health. From a world population of about three hundred million (300 million) 2000 years ago, the population of humans is currently over 7 billion3. The major reason noted for this exponential increase can be attributed to an improvement in health care, for example antibiotics, cleaner drinking water and better agricultural practice to improve food production 3. What we do not need for the future, is a continuous increase in human population, but an increase in equitable distribution of health care and improvement in what is currently available. Scientist are already touting the possibility of increasing the average life span of humans. Gene manipulation in mice has shown that their life expectancy can be increased by up to 20 % (Arking DE et al. 2005)4. An even more shocking prediction is that human life can be extended up to 500 to 1000 years using genetic engineering 5. One of the major threat we as humans once again face, is the rising level of antibiotic resistance of pathogenic bacteria. About "70% of known bacteria have developed resistance to one or more drugs. In Europe, some 25,000 people die each year as a result of drug resistance" (Kevin Grogan, 2013) 6. The problem does not stop with humans. Agricultural plants are also being affected. Global climate change is only exacerbating the situation further. Could biotechnology be our way out? It is possible to use genetic engineering to create transgenic plants that are resistant to fungal and bacterial infections 7. Another way, in which biotechnology can help us, is by causing lost body parts to regenerate. One example would be to grow human retina using stem cell (Yoshiki Sasai, 2012) 8. How about producing transgenic pigs to transplant the pig's heart to humans, so that those patients do not have to wait for donors anymore? 9. Gene therapy also is a promising field in genetics that promised to treat many genetic disorders such as sickle celled anemia. The list of benefits to the general health of human population with the aid of biotechnology is indeed very long one. Human life would never be the same again, once these technologies are fully studied and made available to patients at low cost.
One of the most powerful effects of genetic engineering and biotechnology is that it has the power to improve the quality of life of every human being. We would soon be able to improve human biological and psychological capabilities. We may be able to save our planet from the disastrous effects climate change. Our lives could be changed forever and humans would never be the same. Certainly, the ethics involved in the use of biotechnology must not be ignored, but the benefits overshadow the negatives. The "magical future" awaits man.
References
- Arking DE, Atzmon G, Arking A, Barzilai N, Dietz HC. Association between a functional variant of the Klotho gene and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, blood pressure, stroke, and longevity. Circ Res. 2005;96(4):412-8.
- Genes, Aging, and Prospects for Extended Life Span. James W. Curtsinger, Ph.D, 2007.http://www.minnesotamedicine.com/PastIssues/PastIssues2007/October2007/ClinicalCurtsingerOctober2007.aspx
- Kevin Grogan, 07th, November2013. Antibiotic resistance on a par with terrorism threat.http://www.pharmatimes.com/article/13-11-7/Antibiotic_resistance_on_a_par_with_terrorism_threat.aspx
great work
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