BioTechnology...????

Well.... big words i guest... There're lot's of meaning behind this word.... One of the definition's is using living things to create products or to do tasks for human beings is a general description of biotechnology.

'Biotechnology' is the practice of using plants, animals and micro-organisms such as bacteria, as well as biological processes - such as the ripening of fruit or the bacteria that break down compost - to some benefit.

For example, in industry, medicine and agriculture, biotechnology is used to produce foods, medicines, test for diseases and remove waste.

It can also be used to solve problems and conduct research. Over time biotechnology has formed the basis of learning about people and diseases. Biotechnology has also underpinned the development of treatments.

This section explains the basic science behind biotechnology, including gene technology, and can be used as an introduction to the topic, or as a cross-reference when working through the rest of this resource.

DNA and genes

All living things are made of tiny ‘building blocks’ called cells. Each cell contains inherited genetic information (packaged in the form of genes).

A gene is made of a length of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) that has a message encoded in its chemical structure. Genes are the instructions that give organisms their particular characteristics - for example, your genes code for your hair colour and eye colour.

Although the chemical building blocks of DNA are the same for every living organism, the ordering or sequence of the chemicals varies and it is this variation that determines an organism’s physical make-up and features. By altering the sequence within DNA, inserting new sequences, or turning off certain genes, an organism’s characteristics can be changed.

How does DNA work?

DNA is an ideal molecule to transfer genetic messages to every cell of your body. When an egg and sperm met to form the first cell that was to become you, you were given the complete genetic code that all of your cells will use for rest of your life.

In that first cell, half of the chromosomes (half of the DNA molecules) came from your father and the other half came from your mother.

That first cell divided to become two cells, these both divided to become four, then eight then 16 and so on. Some of the cells in your body are still dividing, for example to produce new skin or blood cells. Most of the time a cell divides perfectly and each of the DNA molecules is copied exactly, with one copy going to each of the new cells. If mistakes are made, they are fixed, or the cell marked for destruction.

If a problem occurs in this process the new cells often die, but on rare occasions the faulty cells survive and can cause a wide range of problems. However, sometimes these faults (mutations) can be beneficial for the organism: this is the basis for evolution.

In order to make a copy of itself the DNA molecule unzips lengthwise leaving unpaired bases along each backbone. In the cell there are nucleotides available which are made up of a sugar, a phosphate and one of the four bases.

Because A can only pair with T and G can only pair with C, the nucleotides match up with the unpaired bases along the DNA backbone and, like building blocks, form a new strand that is complementary (a match) to the sequence. This forms strands identical to the original strand before it unzipped.



Why do we do biotechnology?

Biotechnology is used in a wide range of applications in food science, medicine, the environment and agriculture and research is rapidly expanding the possibilities of where it will be used next.
Any technology brings with it risks as well as benefits, and gene technology is no exception.

These risks need to be carefully assessed before a GM plant, animal or micro-organism is released.

Government regulatory authorities assess the risks, which may include how readily the released organism could cross-breed with similar organisms in the environment. They may also consider whether the modification gives the organism extra survival advantages, and whether this could upset a balanced ecosystem.



How do you do biotechnology?

DNA contains all of the information required to grow and build a whole organism, from a bacterium to a plant, to a human. Studying the DNA of living organisms provides us with more information on how our body (or a plant or an animal) works and what happens when things go wrong.

Biotechnology is the use of living organisms to create products or to do tasks for us. Researchers use DNA, genes, yeast, bacteria and cells to create things.

This section discusses some of the main techniques used in modern gene technology.



Ethics of biotechnology

Ethics are the rules or standards that govern the way people behave and their decisions on the ‘right thing’ to do. It asks basic questions about what is right and wrong, how we should act towards others and what we should do in specific situations.

It is important to note that ethics discussing biotechnology and its applications are not fundamentally different from other situations. Ethics are practiced by everyone, every day.
One common feature of ethics is that different people with different values often disagree on the ‘right thing’ for individuals and society. One reason for this disagreement is that one thing that benefits some may not be of benefit to others.

An example is embryonic stem cell research, which some people see as having great potential to develop cures for diseases; but others object to because it involves the destruction of human embryos that have the potential to become a human being.

There is no clear right or wrong position in ethics, as a person’s individual experience and view of the world often guides the way they make ethical choices.

For instance, someone who has a strong environmental outlook might see the use of genetically modified (GM) crops as unnatural. But someone who has a strong scientific-based view of the world might see the use of GM crops as a natural extension of traditional crop breeding technologies.

Commercial outcomes and ethics

Many new technologies raise ethical concerns that might not be part of the world view held by those who develop the technologies in the first place.

When it comes to developing products for commercial use, the goal is usually to increase sales and increase profits for shareholders. The decision for developing products can be seen as good for industry development, but perhaps not as good for some individuals who do not have products developed to suit their needs when there is not enough company profit to be made.

Also, in some areas of biotechnology development, the money needed to fund research projects is out of the range of individuals or small groups and can only be undertaken by multinational or overseas companies.

For some this is perceived as acceptable, as it helps local researchers form links with wealthy larger companies. But others do not think it is not acceptable, as local research and development leave the community and are then controlled by international corporations.

Many people believe that biotechnology products and applications should respond to and fulfil community needs. For example, some products may be of obvious social benefit (such as a drug that treats cancer), while others may be created by a business by attractive advertising and skilful marketing (for example, unusual coloured flowers for the floral industry or fluorescent fish for the pet industry).

In a world with decreasing resources, where many people go hungry, is spending research dollars on developing a fluorescent fish an acceptable thing or not? Your answer will differ depending on your world view.

When looking at ethical positions it is important to realise that the ‘right thing’ for one person may not be right for others and it can be very difficult to balance these conflicting views.