Biotechnology

What is Biotechnology? Biotechnology: the branch of molecular biology that studies the use of microorganisms to perform specific industrial processes; "biotechnology produced genetically altered bacteria that solved the problem" 

Biotechnology Introducing foreign DNA into an organism in order to modify the organism’s DNA.

Areas of Use Agriculture Medicines Genetics Food science Criminal Investigations

Biotechnology and Agriscience

Agriculture Food crop manipulations Disease-resistant crops Biological Pesticides

Agricultural Positives Negatives More Food Produced Biodiversity Less Hunger Increased Profit Needs less land Negatives Biodiversity Human Health Nature

Genetically Modified Organism Is an organism whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques. These experimental combinations of genes from different species cannot occur in nature or in traditional crossbreeding.

Impact of Biotechnology Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are consumed by millions of people (especially Americans) EVERY DAY. Almost 56% of all soybean plantings worldwide are genetically engineered (much higher in the US).

Impact of Biotechnology Genetically modified crops were produced on more than 167 million acres in 18 countries in 2003, a 15% increase from 2002 The US was the largest single producer with more than 60% of the total acreage in production.

Transgenic Is a gene or genetic material that has been transferred naturally, or by any of a number of genetic engineering  techniques from one organism to another. The introduction of a transgene has the potential to change the phenotype of an organism.

Plant Science Wide scale production of transgenic plants impacting horticulture.

Farming & the Environment Decreases soil erosion Helps protect water Conserves land & fossil fuels the use of pesticides fuels Those working in agriculture have always been interested in preserving the environment. Through the science of biotechnology, even more possibilities exist to decrease the impact of farming on the environment. The environmental benefits of biotechnology overlap with those for farmers: One environmental benefit seen from biotechnology is the reduced use of pesticides. Some biotech crops have a built-in ability to protect themselves from harmful insects. In fact, Bt protected sweet corn requires only 2 pesticide applications per acre whereas non Bt-protected corn requires as many as 12 pesticide applications per acre. Biotechnology is also providing opportunities to decrease soil erosion because some biotech crops require less tilling, helping to preserve topsoil and reduce runoff into streams and rivers and provide habitat for wildlife. This may allow farmers to have fewer tractor passes over their fields – conserving fossil fuels. Reference: National Center for Food & Ag Policy – L. Gianessi, 2002

Farmers Increases crop yields Reduces farmer production costs Decreases farmer exposure to pesticides Improves farming efficiency Farmers benefit from biotechnology in many ways. Farmers are able to see higher crop yields with biotechnology crops due to: Less competition in the field between crop and weeds; Less crop loss due to insect damage or plant disease. Farmers have the potential to reduce their production costs by applying fewer pesticide applications or use less fuel because of fewer passes over the field for spraying. Farmers have more efficient weed control with a biotechnology protected variety because fewer herbicides are needed. Since they get more out of their crops, there is a greater return on their investment. In fact, the ISAAA estimates that in China, farmers growing Bt cotton increased their income an additional $750 million nationally. The study reports similar results in South Africa, where half of farmers are women. The reduced insecticide sprays required with Bt cotton allow the farmers more time to care for their families or generate additional income from other activities. Reference: ISAAA Global Status of Biotech Crops in 2002

Efficiency Must keep the cost of improving products as low as possible. Biotech results in greater efficiency.

Animal Science Increased use of methods of in vitro fertilization and artificial insemination improve selected breed programs.

Environmental Science Use of biotechnology techniques in environmental science for cleaning contaminants and protecting endangered species Bioremediation-use of natural organisms to clean contaminants Example Gulf Oil Spill

Did you know that the key to ridding the oceans of oil may already lie in underneath its surface? Bioremediation — using naturally present microorganisms to clean up oil spills — makes use of bacteria living in the ocean who actually “eat” the oil when it enters their natural habitat. Adding sulfate or nitrate fertilizers to the microorganism population causes them to multiply beyond their natural state and eat up the toxic metals invading their home at up to five times the rate that they would without assistance. 4/13/2018

Problems with Biotechnology in Agriculture

Problems with Biotechnology Transfer of genes found in transgenic organisms to natural populations. Terminator genes have been used to minimize this risk.

Problems with Biotechnology Unexpected impacts of genetically modified organisms and biotechnology processes on other organisms and the environment.

Problems with Biotechnology Expense of the utilization of many biotechnology techniques. Cost of producing transgenic animals (There are transgenic fish, but no livestock yet.)

Problems with Biotechnology Concerns over the safety and ethics of incorporating GMO’s into food for human consumption. Allergens Example: The use of Star link corn in taco shells not approved for human consumption.

Problems with Biotechnology Lack of education among both consumers and producers concerning biotechnology processes and products.

Health/Agriculture/Medicine Pharming – the creation of plants and animals capable of producing medical substances. The use of biological barriers to prevent the spread of harmful microorganisms that could contaminate food sources.

Health/Agriculture/Medicine DNA analysis/paternity testing has emerged as a technique to test the genetic ancestry of animals.

Medicines Vaccines Tissue Replacement Ex Organs grown to replace your own Genetic Origins of Diseases Ex. Is it linked to your genetic make-up Medicine Ex. Penicillin/Alexander Fleming Human Insulin for diabetes

Genetics Being able to alter genes Cloning Genetically engineered babies Link disease genetically

Cloning Process of producing a new organism from cells or tissues of existing organism. 1997 cloned sheep – “Dolly” in Edinburgh Scotland

Genetic Engineering Changing the genetic information in a cell Specific trait of one organism may be isolated, cut, and moved into the cell of another organism.

DNA Fingerprint A technique used especially for identification (as for forensic purposes) by extracting and identifying the base-pair pattern in an individual's DNA —called also DNA typing.

Criminal Investigation DNA fingerprinting Evidence that person was involved in a crime. Data Bases Allows criminal investigator to have access to people’s DNA to compare to evidence.

DNA Fingerprint Forensic Investigator Criminal Activity Police Identify a Person

Careers Research Labortory Agricultural Development of plants and animals Biology Genetics Forensic Investigator Biotechnician Create safe products for consumers Medicine Doctor Predict Patients genetic health

Ethical Issues Benefits of technology outweigh the harm. Example of some issues Decreased biodiversity Cloning Designer babies Companies requiring Selective Breeding Environmental Harm Super Germs

Impact of Biotechnology The NC Biotechnology Center predicts that the biotechnology industry in the state will contribute more than $25 billion in annual income each year within the next 25 years.

North Carolina Over 400 companies have great impact on economy Improved crop yield Created disease resistant crops(greatest benefit) Improved livestock producing higher quality meat

North Carolina Creates Jobs 237,665 jobs $59 billion in North Carolina business volume $1.73 billion in taxes generated for state and local government A thriving industry with more than 500 companies