Bio Technology Evolution of Biotechnology

Example of Bio Technology: How bread is made 9 Color Classification of Biotechnology

▶ When bread dough is being made, yeast 1. Gold biotechnology or Bioinformatics

(Saccharomyces cerevisiae) is added to make the referred to as computational biology and can
dough rise. be defined as “conceptualizing biology” to
address biological problems using
▶ Yeast decompose sugars to derive energy and in computational techniques and makes the
the process they produce ethanol as a waste product. rapid organization as well as analysis of
▶ The yeast ferments sugar-releasing carbon biological data possible.
dioxide which causes the dough to rise and creates 2. Red Biotechnology (Biopharma) relates to
holes in the bread. medicine and veterinary products. It can
help developing new drugs, regenerative
▶ Alcohol produced by the yeast evaporates when therapies, produce vaccines and antibiotics,
the bread is cooked. molecular diagnostics techniques, and
genetic engineering techniques to cure
Is bread making a part of biotechnology? diseases applying genetic manipulation.
▶ Yes. 3. White Biotechnology draws inspiration
from industrial biotech to design more
▶Processes like fermentation are considered as part energy- efficient, less polluting, and low
of classical biotechnology as they include the resource-consuming processes and products
utilization of organisms. that can beat traditional ones.
4. Yellow Biotechnology relates to the use of
▶Obtaining products for human benefits like food biotechnology in food production, for
items, medicines, hybrid crops and so on are all example, in making wine, cheese, and beer
possible because of biotechnology. by fermentation.
Beer brewing 5. Grey Biotechnology refers to
environmental applications to maintain
▶ In beer brewing, tiny fungi (yeasts) are biodiversity and the removal of pollutants or
introduced into a solution of malted barley sugar, contaminants using microorganisms and
which they busily metabolize through a process plants to isolate and dispose of many kinds
of substances such as heavy metals and
▶ The by-product of the fermentation is the alcohol
hydrocarbons.
that’s found in beer.
6. Green Biotechnology emphasizes on
▶ Here, we see an organism –the yeast – being used agriculture that involves creating new plant
to make a product for human consumption. varieties of agricultural interest,
biopesticides, and biofertilizers. This area of
What exactly is biotechnology? biotech is exclusively based on transgenics
(genetic modification), i.e., an extra gene or
▶ It is defined as the utilization of
genes inserted into their DNA. The
 Organisms additional gene may come from the same
 Part of organisms species or a different species.
 Or any biological processes for the benefit 7. Blue Biotechnology is based on the use of
of mankind. It can include both cutting-edge marine resources to create products and
laboratory techniques and traditional applications in the potentially huge range of
agricultural and culinary techniques that sectors to benefit from the use of this kind of
have been practiced for hundreds of years. biotechnology.
8. Violet Biotechnology deals with the law,
ethical and philosophical issues around
biotechnology.
 9. Dark Biotechnology is associated with ▶Zebra fish are important experimental model
bioterrorism or biological weapons and organisms and scientists believe that Casper will be
biowarfare using microorganisms, and important for drug testing and in vivo studies of stem
toxins to cause diseases and death in cells and cancer.
humans, domestic animals, and crops.
Selective Breeding in Golden Rice
Food biotechnology enables the production of fruits
and vegetables that ripen on the vine for a better, ▶ What makes this rice golden is the presence of
fresher state. Several foods have already benefited beta carotene in the rice.
from biotechnology. ▶ Beta carotene is a red orange pigment which gets
converted to Vitamin A in the human body.

▶ Vitamin A is most essential for the development

and maintenance of good vision.

▶ The deficiency of Vitamin A causes vision related

issues and malnutrition.

▶ Rice is the staple diet for a majority of population

in the areas affected with Vitamin A deficiency.

▶ Golden rice was developed to minimize the

deficiency in Vitamin A

▶ The modification of rice is done by exploiting the

biological process making it a biotechnological
achievement.

▶ This variety of rice falls in the category of

genetically modified organisms or GMOs.

Red Biotechnology (Bio-pharmaceutical) is a process

SELECTIVE BREEDING
that utilizes organisms to improve health care and
Selective Breeding in Corn help the body to fight diseases. It is a branch of
modern biotechnology which is utilized in the field of
▶ Choosing only the best corn plants for seeds medicine
results in better crops over a long time.
PRODUCING VACCINES AND ANTIBIOTICS
▶ Cross- breeding plants that produce the largest,
sweetest and most tender ears of corn is a good way Modern biotechnology is used to manufacture
for farmers to maximize their land to produce the existing medicines relatively easily and cheaply. The
most desirable crops. first genetically engineered products were medicines
designed to treat human diseases. Moreover, it aims
▶ Humans have used selective breeding as a to produce new drugs to treat diseases.
biotechnology application to improve production of
crops and livestock used for food purposes. MOLECULAR DIAGNOSIS

Selective Breeding in Zebra fish Early diagnosis of a disease is important to

effectively treat the disease. Early detection is not
▶ Scientists produced a transparent zebra fish named possible using conventional methods like serum and
Casper by mating a zebra fish mutant that lacked urine analysis. Biotechnology applications that help
black pigment. in early diagnosis of diseases:

1. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

 2. Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ▶ With the development of biotechnology, newer
(Elisa) vaccines that are synthetic in nature started getting
3. In Situ Hybridisation produced.

▶The commercially available Hepatitis B vaccine

are now utilizing a small part of the pathogenic virus.
REGENERATIVE THERAPHIES
Penicillin
Gene Therapy is a biotechnology application
involving a collection of methods that can correct a ▶ The antibiotic penicillin is generated by certain
gene defect in a child or an embryo. molds.
It involves inserting a normal gene into the person’s ▶ To make small amounts of penicillin for use in
cells or tissues to compensate for the non-functional early clinical trials, researchers had to grow up to 500
gene. liters of “mold juice” a week.
Gene Theraphy ▶ The process has since been improved for
industrial production, with use of higher- producing
▶ Gene therapy is an emerging technique used to
mold strains and better culture conditions to increase
treat genetic disorders that are caused by a non-
yield.
functional gene.
▶Here, we see an organism (mold) being used to
▶ It works by delivering the “missing” gene’s DNA
make a product for human use – in this case, an
to the cells of the body.
antibiotic to treat bacterial infections.
▶ For instance, in the genetic disorder cystic
ENVIRONMENTAL
fibrosis, people lack function of a gene for a chloride
channel produced in the lungs. Environmental Biotechnology in particular is the
application of processes for the application of
▶ In a recent gene therapy clinical trial, a copy of processes for the protection and restoration of the
the functional gene was inserted into a circular DNA quality of the environment.
molecule called a plasmid and delivered to patients’
lung cells in spheres of membrane (in the form of a Replacing chemical materials and process with
spray). biological technologies can reduce environmental
damage.
▶In this example, biological components
different from sources (a gene t from humans, a APPLICATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL
plasmid originally from bacteria) were combined to BIOTECHNOLOGY
make a new product that helped preserve lung
function in cystic fibrosis patients. Use living organisms in hazardous waste treatment
and pollution control.
Hepatitis B vaccine
Deals with:
▶ Hepatitis B vaccine was developed from the
blood of the humans who are already suffering from Decontamination of environmental components
Hepatitis B. Production of chemicals biosensors
▶This was very painful for the patients as the Pollution prevention
amount of blood required for vaccine production was
too high. Waste minimization

▶ extracting a particular amount of blood of the BIOREMIDATION

infected person was very excruciating.
Remediate- means to solve a problem
▶As the vaccine was derived directly from the
patient’s body, could there be negative reactions in
the recipient patient.
Bio remediate- use biological organisms to solve an Can be used to monitor the presence of enzymes or
environmental problem such as contaminated soil or anti bodies
ground water
BIOINDICATORS
Bioremediation- biotechnical process which abates
or cleans up contamination Species that can used to monitor the environment of
ecosystem. Ex. Copepods
Type of waste management technique which involves
the use of organism to remove or utilize the
pollutants from a polluted are.

BIODEGRADATION

Process by which materials such as a oil spill,

herbicides, pesticides are degraded by the action of
microbial system

BIOETHICS

Ethics - the branch of philosophy which deals with

moral aspects of human behavior.

Bioethics can be defined as that discipline dealing

with ethical issues raised by new developments in
medicine and biological science.

The term “bioethics” was introduced in the 70’s by

Van Rensselaer Potter for a study aiming at
ensuring the preservation of the biosphere.

From Greek words “Bios” – Life

“Ethos” – Behavior
TYPES OF BIOREMEDIATION
Bioethicists are concerned with the ethical questions
1. Mycoremediation- fungi are used for the that arise in the relationships among life sciences,
process of decontamination biotechnology, medicine, political law, and
2. Phytoremediation- use of green plants and philosophy. It includes the study of values relating to
their microorganisms used to balance or primary care and other branches of medicine.
decrease the contaminated soils, sludges,
sediments, surface water or ground water. Bioethics also helps establish a common ground for
3. Microbial Remediation- use of different views, the democratic process being
microorganisms to degrade organic facilitated by the principle of giving equal and fair
contaminants and to bind the use of metals consideration to all sides or aspects of a given issue
in less bioavailable form concerning human, animal or environmental rights.

BIOSENSOR Bioethics, born out of the rapidly expanding technical

environment of the 1900s, is a specific domain of
Analytical device composed of biological sensing ethics focused on moral issues in the field of health
elements and physically transducer which together care
relate to measure able signal
During World War II, President Franklin D.
Uses biological entity (bacteria) to monitor levels of Roosevelt assembled a committee to improve medical
certain chemicals OR uses chemicals to monitor scientists’ coordination in addressing the medical
levels of certain biological entities (pathogens) needs of the military. As often happens with wartime
research and advancements, the work aimed at 2003- The partial-birth abortion act, a federal ban of
addressing military needs also affected civilian intact dilation and extraction as an abortion procedure
sectors, such as the field of medicine. is passed.

1968- Harvard University recommends brain death 2005- Terry Schiavo dies after her feeding tube is
standards for organ transplantation removed by ruling of the US Supreme Court. In this
“right to die” case the diagnosis of PVS was hotly
1971- Judith Jarvis Thomson writes “A Defense of contested.
Abortion” an influential essay which defends
abortion even while assuming the personhood of the 2007- The US Supreme Court upholds the Partial-
unborn. Birth Abortion Ban Act.

1972- Details of Depression-era Tuskegee Syphillis Autonomy

Study, one of the greatest ethical breaches of trust
between physician and patients in a US clinical study The rights of the individual to make decisions
are brought to light. regarding their own health must be respected.

1973- The Roe vs. Wade US Supreme Court decision Non-Maleficence

allows unrestricted access to abortion viability. Healthcare provides must not hurt their patients.
1976- By ruling of the New Jersey supreme court, “First, do no harm.”
Karen Ann Quinlan is taken off life support, hers is Beneficence
the first major “right to die case” involving persistent
vegetative state (PVS). She lived for 9 years after Healthcare providers must act in the best interest of
being moved from life support the patients.

1978- Louise joy Brown the “first tube baby” is born. Justice

1981- AIDS is first reported in US Patients should share (more or less) equally in the
costs and benefits of the healthcare system
1990- Nancy Cruzan, who is in a PVS, dies after a
contentious “right to die” case before the US SCOPE OF BIOETHICS
Supreme Court
The scope of bioethics has expanded to include the
1992- The Planned Parenthood vs. Casey US ethical questions raised by:
Supreme Court decision overturns the viability
1. Human Genome Project
portion of Roe V. Wade, extending the right to
abortion to any time of the pregnancy 2. Stem Cell Research
1996- Dolly the sheep, the first cloned mammal is 3. Assisted Reproductive Technologies
born.
4. Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis
1997- Oregon voters approve the death with dignity
act. 5. The Synthesis of New Life-Forms (Synthetic
Biology)
1999- Dr. Jack Kevorkian is convicted for the
voluntary euthanasia of a patient with Lou Gehring’s 6. The Possibility of Successful Reproductive
disease after assisting in the suicide of almost 100 Cloning
others
HUMAN FENOME PROJECT
2001- President Bush permits limited government
The Human Genome Project (HGP) was an
funding of embryonic stem cell research, using only
international project led by the US Department of
embryos that had already been destroyed.
Energy, National Institutes of Health & Welcome
2003- The Human Genome Project, marking the first Trust (UK) launched in 1990 to map and sequence
complete draft of the sequence of human DNA. the human genome.
The initial proposal for the “Human Genome Project”
is considered to be the 1986 editorial by Renato
Dulbecco. He suggested that the fundamental
problems related to cancer can be addressed by
determining the sequence of the entire genome.

GOALS OF HUMAN GENOME PROJECT

• To identify all the genes in human DNA.

• To obtain a physical map of human genome.

• To develop technology for the management

of human genome information.

• To know the function of genes.

• Determine the sequences of the 3 billion

chemical base pairs that make up human
DNA.

• Store this information in public databases.

• Develop tools for data analysis.

• Transfer related technologies to the private

sectors.

STEM CELL RESEARCH

Stem cell research offers a great promise for ASSISTED REPRODUCTIVE

understanding basic mechanisms of human TECHNOLOGIES
development and differentiation as well as hope for
Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART)
new treatments for diseases such as diabetes, spinal
includes all fertility treatments in which both
cord injury, Parkinson’s disease and myocardial
eggs and embryos are handled.
infarction.
In general, ART procedures involve
It can also be used to test different substances like
surgically removing eggs from a woman’s
drugs and chemicals. The most notable outcome of
ovaries, combining them with sperm in the
this research is that in 2013, first time lab grown meat
laboratory, and returning them to the
is made from muscle cells has been cooked and
woman’s body or donating them to another
tasted.
woman.

They do NOT include treatments in which

only sperm are handled (i.e., intrauterine—
or artificial—insemination) or procedures in
which a woman takes medicine only to
stimulate egg production without the
intention of having eggs retrieved.
PRE-IMPLANTATION GENETIC DIAGNOSIS

Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) is an

evolving technique that provides a practical
alternative to prenatal pregnancy for couples who are
at substantial risk of transmitting serious genetic
disorder to their offspring.

PGD provides alternative way forward not only for

couples at risk of having a child with a severe or life
threatening abnormality, but also for couples who are
unable to establish a viable pregnancy due to
miscarriage caused by chromosome rearrangements
 REPRODUCTIVE CLONING

Reproductive cloning is the production of a genetic

duplicate of an existing organism. A human clone
would be a genetic copy of an existing person. Some
oppose reproductive cloning because of safety
considerations.

Human reproductive cloning would also threaten the

psychological well- being of cloned children, open
the door to more powerful genetic manipulation
technologies, and raise other social and ethical
concerns.

Animal cloning is seldom successful, and many

scientists believe that reproductive cloning can never
be made safe.
SYNTHETIC BIOLOGY

Refers to the use of computer-assisted biological

parts devices and systems that do not exist in nature
and the redesign of existing biological organisms

It differs from recombinant DNA technology in that

synthetic biology introduces synthetically
constructed parts and is not limited to the
modification of natural organisms.

Construction of new life forms with no natural

counterpart.

ISSUES IN BIOETHICS

1. Abortion- removal of a fetus or embryo

from woman’s uterus resulting the
termination of pregnancy

2. Euthanasia- refers to the act of

purposefully ending a life to eliminate
untreatable suffering. It brings up the
question of what constitutes a life worth
preserving and what lengths should be
taken to preserve said life.

3. Eugenics- a type of DNA manipulation that

creates selective breeding to improve the
human race. Bioethicists who
support gene selection obviously want to
 see the advancement of the species along
with the extinction of certain genetic
diseases.

4. Human Cloning- is the scientific

production of an identical human cell, tissue,
or entire body. Bioethicists that support
human cloning see the benefits of
regenerative medicine in terms of organ or
tissue donation. This would eliminate the
risk of a body rejecting a transplant and the
issue of scarcity of organs and tissues to be
donated.
5.
6. STEM CELL RESEARCH- Stem cells are
capable of multiplying mitotic cell division
themselves through embryonic stem cells
and possess the ability to differentiate into a
range of specialized cell types. This makes
them incredibly valuable to disease research.
The controversy surrounds the use of these
embryonic cells.