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/
For modern technology, we genetically modify the object to something. But for traditional biotechnology, what exactly happens to the object?
ReplyDeletemodern technology does not only include modifying one object into another. It also includes the transference of cells from one living thing to another. In the case of traditional biotechnology, it really depends on the case. For example, fermentation is the conversion of sugar to acids, gases and/or alcohol using yeast or bacteria.
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