Molecular Biotechnology In Life
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Molecular Biotechnology In Life
If you have had a can of soft drink, ate a fruit, or took some head ache
medicine this morning - then it's very likely you have used a genetically
enhanced product. Genetics is a part of biotechnology that manipulates
biological organisms to make products that benefit humankind. Biotechnology is
essential in our life, but there are some concerns regarding its safety.
Although, biotechnology may pose some danger it is proving to be very beneficial
to humankind. The first applications of biotechnology occurred approximately
around 5000 BC. Back then people used simple breeding methods. Chains of plants
or animals were crossed to produce greater genetic variety. The hybridized
offspring then were selectively bred to produce the desired traits. For example,
for about 7000 years, corn has been selectively bred for increased kernel size
and additional nutrition value. Also, through selective breeding, cattle and
pigs have become the major sources of animal foods for human (Encarta 99). The
modern era of biotechnology started in 1953 when British biophysicist Francis
Crick and American biochemist James Watson presented their double-stranded model
of DNA. DNA is an extensive, chain-like structure made up of nucleotides, and in
a way it looks like a twisted rope ladder (Drlica 27). In 1960 Swiss
microbiologist Werner Arber had discovered restriction enzymes. This special
kind of enzymes can cut DNA of an organism at precise points. In 1973 American
scientists Stanley Cohen and Herbert Boyer removed a specific gene from one
bacterium and inserted it into another using restriction enzymes. This
achievement served as foundation to recombinant DNA technology, which is
commonly called genetic engineering. Recombinant DNA technology is a transfer of
a specifically coded gene of one organism into bacteria. Further, the host
bacteria serve as a biologic factory by reproducing the transferred gene. Today
biotechnology's applications are used in a variety of areas. It's used in waste
management for creation of biodegradable materials, in agriculture for higher
yields and quality, in medicine for production of advanced pharmaceuticals,
cloning tissues and curing genetic diseases. However there is a down side to
genetic engineering. It deals with dangerous bacteria which could escape the
boundaries of a lab and possibly cause epidemics. Moreover, if a transgenic
organism escapes, it could eliminate a range of species and thus disrupt natural
ba...
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