Survey Responses

These are the responses that me and Crystal have gotten from interviewing our science and form teacher respectively:

Response from Mr Teo (Science Teacher):

1. Do you know what is biotechnology?
-Yes
2. Based on your knowledge, what is your opinion on bio technology?
-It is an advancement in the medical field to prolong the life of humans.
3. How has biotechnology affected you in your life?
-Nowadays, there are navel oranges where there are very small seeds. There is also NEWater.
4. How do you feel about biotechnology being used on animals?
-It is a small sacrifice for the benefit of mankind. For example, the animal will sacrifice its chance to live a normal life and grow faster/bigger so that mankind  can benefit.
5. Overall, do you think that biotechnology is an improvement to your life?
-Yes.

Response from Mdm Goh (Form/Chinese teacher):

1. Do you know what is biotechnology?
-A little
2. Based on your knowledge, what is your opinion on bio technology?
-There are both disadvantages and advantages. If you use it well, it can help the society. However, if someone misuses it, it can destroy the world.
3. How has biotechnology affected you in your life?
-It does not really affect me but it helps those people with diseases.
4. How do you feel about biotechnology being used on animals?

-I don't mind biotechnology being used on animals as animals have always been sacrificing for humans. It has been that way since the start of time. Also, it helps humans also as we cannot experiment on the human race. If the project is a success, it would really help the society. However, it is a little cruel.

5. Overall, do you think that biotechnology is an improvement to your life?

-In the medical aspect, yes I can recover faster from sicknesses and also live longer.

Disadvantages of Genetic engineering

1) Genetic engineering is meant to make food crops more resistant to disease, but the act of modification of the naturally selected food crops may disturb the balance of biodiversity which exists in nature.

2) Genetic changes in a particular plant or animal could be harmful to another organism higher up in the food chain.  This effect may ultimately build up to destroy the  food chain in which that plant plays a role. 

3) There can be sometimes be traces of the genetically modified DNA in the final product made for human consumption.  This could be harmful to human health!

4) Genetically modified plants and animals can replace traditional farming or say poultry and meat-producing practices. This will result in destruction of economies.

5) Genetic engineering is being used to create human organs but in the long run, if it can create genetically modified, perfect human specimens who are better than the creators, this may be disastrous.

6) Many religions are against some types of biotechnology  For example, the use of stem  is wrong in a Catholic's perspective, as stem cells are obtained from unborn human fetuses that are created and then destroyed after serving its purpose :(

What is your view on these disadvantages? Do you agree that biotechnology could be more harmful than helpful to mankind? Post your comments and views below :)

-Jameela

Source:http://www.brighthub.com/science/genetics/articles/118757.aspx

Sources

This post includes all the sources that we have used so far in the process of our research on biotechnology.

• http://www.brighthub.com/science/genetics/articles/118757.aspx
• http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/foodsci/ext/pubs/bioapp.html
• http://allaboutbiotechnology.blogspot.sg/2008/06/traditional-biotechnology-vs-new.html
• http://www.bioportal.gc.ca/English/View.asp?x=574&mp=562
• http://geneticsresearch.org/applications-of-genetic-engineering.php
• http://www.buzzle.com/articles/genetic-engineering-in-humans.html
• http://talkingaboutgreen.com/genetic-engineering-and-environment/
• http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_are_some_negative_impacts_of_biotechnology
• http://www.ehow.com/info_8188853_biotechnology-negative-effects-environment.html#ixzz2QMTiSDN7
• http://biology.about.com/library/weekly/aa011499.htm
• http://www.bio.org/articles/what-biotechnology
• http://www.accessexcellence.org/RC/AB/BC/what_is_biotechnology.php
• http://www.slideshare.net/educationprojects/pros-and-cons-of-biotechnology
• http://www.bio.org/articles/what-biotechnology
• http://www.straitstimes.com/breaking-news/money/story/worlds-largest-independent-biotech-firm-pump-245m-singapore-20130117

Traditional & Modern Biotechnology

Traditional biotechnology

Traditional biotechnology is the type of biotechnology that many people overlook or do not know much about. Traditional biotechnology has been practiced since the beginning of records history. It has been used to:
1. Bake bread
2. Brew alcoholic beverages
3. Breed food crops/domestic animals
4. Wine, vinegar and food preservation
5. Spices
6. Turmeric
and many more! 

Traditional biotechnology was found mostly due to trial and error. For example, centuries ago, people accidentally discovered how to make use of natural processes that occur within living cells. They applied the results they saw to their domestic lives. 

Due to this, they discovered a process called fermentation:
flour dough --> leavened in the making of bread
grape juice --> becomes wine
and milk --> cheese 

Modern Biotechnology

Modern biotechnology, on the other hand, is what captures most of the public's attention. Why, you ask? Well, here is one use of modern biotechnology that is truly fascinating; Genetic engineering.

This use of modern biotechnology is probably the most popular use, and has been mentioned a lot in the previous posts. The scientific definition for genetic engineering is 'the process of transferring individual genes between organisms or modifying the genes in an organism to remove or add a desired trait or characteristic.'

Genetic engineering can be applied in medicines, agriculture, humans and the environment.

Medicines

• Vaccines, antibodies and vitamins keep many diseases treated and under control (injected into bodies of patient)
• Chemotherapy and Radiology is used in cases of terminal diseases (e.g. cancer)
• Treatment of heredity diseases - consequence of manipulating genes in human body before birth

Agriculture

• Artificially synthesized fruits and vegetables
• Fertilizers & bio synthesizers - help in proper growth of crops + kills harmful bacteria
• Nutrients added to soil - production is better quality and higher quantity

Humans

• Prevents life threatening diseases (e.g. HIV)
• Increase average lifespan
• Cloning: future possibility (e.g. Dolly the sheep)
• Making children with only desirable traits: future possibility

Environment

• Modified microorganisms: ability to bio degrade materials such as plastic, more fast and efficient.
• Also consumes metallic wastes, harmful gases, oil,etc. - saves environment from pollutants
• Cloning: future possibility. This can be used to maintain the dwindling numbers of endangered animals 

What is your opinion on this information? Do you think that genetic engineering can be harmful? Why so? Please leave comments below :)

-Jameela

Sources:
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/foodsci/ext/pubs/bioapp.html
http://allaboutbiotechnology.blogspot.sg/2008/06/traditional-biotechnology-vs-new.html
http://www.bioportal.gc.ca/English/View.asp?x=574&mp=562
http://geneticsresearch.org/applications-of-genetic-engineering.php
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/genetic-engineering-in-humans.html
http://talkingaboutgreen.com/genetic-engineering-and-environment/

Negative impacts of biotechnology

Biodiversity 

Earth contains ecosystems whose health depends on a balance, known as biodiversity, of different plant and animal species. Biotechnology threatens biodiversity by introducing a single type of organism, such as a genetically modified seed, across a wide area.

Renown agricultural ecologist Dr. Miguel Altieri of the University of California, Berkeley, demonstrates that in areas where genetically modified crops have been introduced, plants have lost some of their natural resistance to drought or other adverse conditions. This loss is the cause of the lack of biodiversity.

Due to Biotechnology destroying some of the plant's natural characteristics that are important to the surroundings, the natural habitat of several animals may also be affected.

Harms to Animal Life

As animals and insects feed on crops, agricultural biotechnology can severely harm the health of important species. For example, the monarch butterfly is dying because of exposure to the toxins in genetically modified crops. Biotechnology also can harm insect and animal life by producing new allergies, antibiotic resistance and illness, as well as potentially disrupting normal hormone levels. 

Not only that, In the process of modifying food using biotechnology, certain toxics will be injected into the food and when the animals unknowingly eat them, they may eventually die.

Sources:

• http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_are_some_negative_impacts_of_biotechnology
• http://www.ehow.com/info_8188853_biotechnology-negative-effects-environment.html#ixzz2QMTiSDN7

-Nicole :)

Animal Biotechnology

Animal biotechnology is the use of science and engineering to modify animals. The goal is to make products, to improve animals and develop them for specific agricultural use

hybridizing
hybridizing produces a greater genetic variety. The offspring are bred selectively to produce the greatest number of desirable traits.

Examples:
- Liger (female tiger cross with male lion)
-Grola Bear (polar bear and grizzly bear)
-Wolphin (female bottlenose dolphin and male false killer whale)

Liger
 Grola bear Wolpher

Cloning

Scientists use reproductive cloning methods to produce multiple copies of mammals that are almost identical copies of the mammal.

Example: 

Dolly the sheep (cloned in 1966)

Learning points:
Animal bio-tech include hybridization and cloning. animals that are cross-bred are one-of a kind and have the best out of both the parent's DNA. Cloning is almost  "photocopying" a living thing

-Angeline

People we can survey

Angeline:
Mum (does the groceries)
sis (studies geography in JC) 

Crystal:
Mum (does the groceries)

Jameela:
Mum (does the groceries)
Grandfather (doctor)

Nicole:
Mr Teo (science teacher)

Jameela and Nicole:



Crystal and Angeline:

Task Allocation

Group members
1. Jameela (15)
2. Nicole Lee (25)
3. Crystal (39) - Group leader
4. Angeline (40)

Research Question : Do you agree that Biotechnology will lead to the destruction of mankind?

Task Allocation

Crystal
What is Biotechnology?
Uses of Biotechnology
Angeline
Pros and Cons of Biotechnology
Jameela
Positive opinion of Biotechnology from the public
Nicole
Negative opinions of Biotechnology
All
Articles about Biotechnology (Each person must at least find 2)

Bio-engineered skin

This article basically explains how Scientists have created bioengineered skin. This skin covers a certain percentage of one's body. This creation is intended to help people suffering from epidermoylsis bullose, a rare disease that causes blistered skin from a simple touch. It was tested on a eight-week-year old baby, who was suffering from Downling Meara disease (a severe form of epidermolysis bullose) This bioengineered skin called 'Apligraf' heals both long-term and open wounds that are not able to heal prior to the application of Aplligraf.

I can see that Biotechnology has definitely been put to good use by these doctors, by helping to make disabled people's lives much easier than it would be prior to this invention. I think we can all agree that this article is a perfect example of how biotechnology has turned out useful to mankind in some way.

What do you think about this? Share your comments and opinions below!

- Jameela

Source:

http://biology.about.com/library/weekly/aa011499.htm

What is Biotechnology?

Biotechnology refers to "the use of living organisms or their products to modify human health and the human environment." Biotechnology harnesses cellular and bio-molecular processes to develop technologies, living organisms or their products to help improve our lives and the health of our planet. We have used the biological processes of micro organisms for more than 6,000 years to make useful food products, such as bread and cheese, and to preserve dairy products.

Some exmaples of biotechnology include using yeast cells to raise bread dough and ferment alcoholic beverages. Bacterial cells are also used to make cheese and yogurt. Due to biotechnology, animals can  increase their strength and give birth to more productive offsprings. 

Modern biotechnology provides products and technologies to help cure rare diseases, reduce our environmental footprint, feed the hungry, use less and cleaner energy, and have safer, cleaner and more efficient industrial manufacturing processes. Biotechnology today also enables the combination of the genetic elements of two or more living cells. DNA can be taken from one organism and placed into the cells of another organism. As a result, we can cause bacterial cells to produce human molecules, and cows can produce more milk from being fed the same amount of food!

Sources:

http://www.bio.org/articles/what-biotechnology

http://www.accessexcellence.org/RC/AB/BC/what_is_biotechnology.php

Pros And Cons of Biotechnology

The pros:

Generally: can genetically modify foods for agriculture, eco-systems, human health, and provide the ability to feed a rapidly growing population.

- Allow foods to be genetically modified, so as to produce specific kinds of food. (e.g. fried, baked and snack products with low or even zero grams trans-fat)

- Allows crops to be able to withstand harsh weather conditions, allowing it to grow in many different countries.

- Improves people’s lives. As the genetically modified plant can grow in harsher conditions, this allows families to have a source of income, improving their lives.

- Save water: the plant can be specifically genetically modified to grow without a lot of water.

The cons:

Generally: may cause unforeseen health, environmental and socioeconomic consequences

- There is a possibility that genetically modified food crops may accidentally introduce a new allergen.

- Scientists worries that plant-eating insects and weeds will develop resistance to biotechnology crops leading to the creation of super-bugs or weeds that cannot be destroyed, this is a fact of life for any resistant strains of crops

Sources:

http://www.slideshare.net/educationprojects/pros-and-cons-of-biotechnology

http://www.bio.org/articles/what-biotechnology

Survey

Survey Questions
1. Do you know what biotechnology is?
2. How has biotechnology affected you in your life?
3. Do you think biotechnology is a great improvement to out lives? Why?
4. Based on your knowledge of biotechnology, would you advocate or support biotechnology? Why?
5. What do you feel about biotechnology being used on animals? Why? *provide some information (eg pictures) for the interviewees)
6. Can you foresee any damages biotechnology might bring to nature and mankind?
7. Overall, do you think biotechnology is an improvement to mankind?


Target Audience

• Science Teachers
• Geography Teachers
• Home Economics Teachers
• Doctors
• Scientists
• Students studying high-level Geography/Science
• Family 

Articles on Biotechnology

World's largest independent biotech firm to pump $245m into Singapore

This April 20, 2010, file photo shows an exterior view of Amgen offices in California. Amgen Inc. The world's largest biotechnology company announced on Wednesday its plans to build a new manufacturing plant in Singapore. -- PHOTO: AP

By Lee Su Shyan

Amgen, the world's largest independent biotechnology firm, is setting up its first Asian manufacturing facility in Singapore, the Economic Development Board announced.

The US-based, Fortune 500 company, headquartered in California is expected to invest about US$200 million to build an innovative new facility at the Tuas Biomedical Park.

EDB's director of Biomedical Sciences Kevin Lai said: "Amgen's decision is a strong testament to Singapore's track record in biologics manufacturing. We are proud that the Singapore facility will be Amgen's first major investment in Asia utilising its state-of-the-art technology which will transform the future of biologics industry and making healthcare more affordable."

Source:

http://www.straitstimes.com/breaking-news/money/story/worlds-largest-independent-biotech-firm-pump-245m-singapore-20130117

-Angeline