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Although biotechnology has been in use for over 6,000 years, the actual field of biotechnology is relatively new. Biotechnology is the transfer of DNA from one organism to another to modify the genetic makeup of that organism . . Introduction to Biotechnology. Biotechnology.
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Although biotechnology has been in use for over 6,000 years, the actual field of biotechnology is relatively new. Biotechnology is the transfer of DNA from one organism to another to modify the genetic makeup of that organism. Introduction to Biotechnology
Biotechnology • Gregor Mendel first discovered the theory of trait transfer in which hereditary traits are passed on from parent to offspring. This occurs everyday in nature. With the modern processes of biotechnology, scientists can speed up this process, and they can choose what traits an organism will receive. In agriculture, biotechnology is now being used to increase crop yields, to produce insectand weed resistant plants, and to produce foods with more vitamins and minerals. It is also used to increase milk production in cows and to make medicines.
What exactly is Biotechnology? • We already defined biotechnology as the transfer of DNA from one organism to another. • Can you think of any reasons we would want to put DNA from one organism into another?
Why put DNA from one organism into another? • Scientists can use biotechnology to make crops that are resistant to disease, have extra vitamins, or that can resist pests or very cold temperatures • One example of thiss is papayas in Hawaii. The natural papayas were being killed off by a virus. Scientists put a gene from a different virus into a papaya plant. This virus made the genetically modified papayas immune to the virus that was killing them, saving the papayas.
Why put DNA from one organism into another? • Diabetes type 1 is a genetic disease. People who have it produce antibodies that destroy their insulin-making cells. Insulin is very important - it regulates blood sugar levels. When blood sugar levels are too high or too low, people can get very sick and even die. • Before biotechnology, insulin for diabetics was harvested from the organs of pigs and cows. • Now, insulin is produced through biotechnology. Scientists inserted the human gene for insulin into bacteria and yeast. The bacteria or yeast then express the gene and produce insulin in large quantities • Producing insulin this way is less expensive, cleaner, and vegetarian-friendly. It also avoids the problems that occur with using animal insulin.
