BIOTECHNOLOGYJamie, Amanda, Wei Heng, Aaron

P6 Excellent

(TECHNICAL) DEFINITION

"Any technological application that uses biological systems, living

organisms, or derivatives thereof, to make or modify products or

processes for specific use"

~ Convention on Biological Diversity

SOURCE: http://www.cbd.int/convention/articles/default.shtml?a=cbd-02

THE <200 WORD

DESCRIPTION

A BRIEF INTRO TO BIOTECH

• The use of living systems and organisms to develop or make useful products

• Harnesses organisms' cells (mostly for human benefit)

o Single-celled bacteria and yeasts

o Multicellular plants and animals

• NOT new - has been used for centuries

SOURCE: http://tinyurl.com/whatisbiotechnology

HISTORY

• 18thC - Used microorganisms to make food items

• Late 18thC to early 19thC - Vaccinations

• Late 19thC - Work done on genetics, institutes formed for investigation

• Early 20thC - Industry and agriculture brought together

• World War II - Manufactured penicillin

• Cold War - Work done on microorganisms, antibiotics and fermentation processes

SOURCE: http://www.woodrow.org/teachers/bi/1993/intro.html

on this slide, 'c' stands for 'century'

USES (AGRICULTURE)

1) REDUCE VULNERABILITY

• Move genes from one organism to another

• Allow transfer of useful characteristics into an organism, by inserting genes (DNA) from another organism

EXAMPLE: Transferring genes from a plant which can cope in extreme conditions to more productive crops.

USES (AGRICULTURE)

1) REDUCE VULNERABILITY

SOURCE: http://ars.usda.gov/is/ar/archive/nov99/pest1199.htm

USES (AGRICULTURE)

2) TISSUE CULTURE

• The growth of tissues or cells separate from the organism

• Allow for the reproduction of disease-free planting material for crops

EXAMPLE: Crops produced using tissue culture include citrus, pineapples, avocados, mangoes, bananas, coffee and papaya.

USES (AGRICULTURE)

3) INCREASE CROP YIELD

• One or two genes can be transferred to a highly developed crop variety

• Impart a new characteristic which would increase its yield

HOWEVER: There is still much scientific work to be done in this area.

USES (MEDICINE)

1) REDUCE COST & EFFORT

• Find new ways to manufacture medicine, previously impossible without modern technology

• Manufacture existing medicines relatively easily and cheaply

EXAMPLE: Insulin used to be extracted from the pancreas of abattoir animals, before Genentech developed synthetic humanised insulin.

USES (MEDICINE)

2) VACCINES

• Biotechnology-derived vaccines are cheaper, better and/or safer than traditional vaccines

• Can be completely new vaccines to treat infectious illnesses for the first time

EXAMPLE: In Philippines, biotechnology was used to develop and improve a vaccine to protect cattle and water buffaloes from hemorrhagic septicemia, a leading cause of death for both species.

USES (MEDICINE)

3) ROCKET-POWERED ARM

• Rockets are used to power robotic arms, leading to better, stronger and faster prosthetic arms

o Stronger (can lift about 10kg, three to four times more than current ones)

o Lighter (about 1.8kg, which is around the weight of a human arm)

o Functionalo Does not require batteries

USES (MEDICINE)

1. Decay-Fighting Microbes

2. Artificial Lymph Nodes

3. Asthma Sensor

4. Cancer Spit Test

5. Biological Pacemaker

6. Prosthetic Feedback

7. Smart Contact Lens

8. Speech Restorer

9. Absorbable Heart Stent

10.Muscle Stimulator

11.Nerve Regenerator

12.Stabilizing Insoles

13.Smart Pill

14.Autonomous Wheelchair

15.Gastrointestinal Liner

16.Liver Scanner

17.Nanoscale Adhesive

18.Portable Dialysis

19.Walking Simulator

...and a lot of others

SOURCE: http://www.popularmechanics.com/science/health/breakthroughs/4303407

IMPACTS

THE POSITIVE ONES1. Everlasting food supply

2. Safer food for consumption

3. The 25 (6+19) uses we mentioned earlier

4. Agricultural biotechnology has been shown to multiply crop production by seven which will help meet the demands of a growing population

5. No-till farming, resulting in better soil health and conservation, improved water retention/decreased soil erosion and decreased herbicide runoff

IMPACTS

THE NEGATIVE ONES1. MAY add to the (already) serious problem of

antibiotic resistant bacteria

2. Food created using biotechnology has not been heavily tested to be healthy and may lead to the harming of human health

3. Biotechnology might disrupt the nature's system of pest control

4. Require more water - create dams, organisms' affected, peat fires!

IN CONCLUSION...

• Biotechnology has been immensely beneficial

• If we do not protect the environment, it will perish!

• We will not have enough natural resources

So do your part. :)

THANK YOU :DThanks for listening! :) :D