Biotechnology

the use of organisms and biological processes to provide food, chemicals and services to meet the needs of humans also includes the industrial use of recombinant DNA, cell fusion, novel bioprocessing techniques, and bioremediation

1864 Pasteurization

French chemist -Louis Pasteur Developed pasteurization:

process which uses heat to destroy harmful microorganisms in products

The products are then sealed airtight for safety

enhanced quality of life, allowing products such as milk to be transported without spoiling.

1865 Mendel and modern genetics

Gregor Mendel : Austrian monk, botanist and plant scientist

studied the principal of heredity Experimenting with garden peas

he successfully cross-bred traits, color, plant ht and pod size.

showed that differences such as a ht or color could be attributed to the passing of traits and genes

1953 Discovery of DNA structure

People didn’t know where genes lived until DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) was discovered or understood in the early 1950s

James Watson and Francis Crick discovered the the ladder like helix structure called DNA

DNA was essential to the exploration of biotechnology

The story of Insulin and Biotechnology

Your body produces insulin to regulate glucose levels.

Diabetes occurs when the body does not produce enough insulin.

pigs and cows: first provided diabetic patients with insulin injections

Scientists did not know the long term effects of having animal insulin in your body.

The story of Insulin and Biotechnology

In 1978, Boyer was able to take pieces of human DNA and isolate a gene for insulin using biotechnology

This scientific advancement vastly improved quality of life for many people living with diabetes and guaranteed their safety.

1980- Today In early 1990’s, Hawaiian

papaya farmers watched as a devastating virus wiped out their crops.

Papaya ring spot virus ruins fruit and kills trees.

This is one of Hawaii's top crops and brings in over $40 million, farmers were strapped for solutions.

Researchers at the University of Hawaii and Cornell University developed a virus-resistant papaya plant through biotechnology.

Today after near disaster, the Hawaiian papaya industry is thriving through this biotechnology innovation.

Today Advances in biotechnology have allowed

farmers to benefit from greater productivity and output with less cost, effort and economic risk, and a reduced burden to the environment

Biotechnology has enhance the food products you see on your table each day, some include:

1. Healthier, easier- to- cook, tastier foods2. Foods with added health benefits3. Foods that last longer

Biotechnology For the World

Agriculture around the world is challenging especially in developing countries where farmers face drought, plant diseases, insects and low crop yields

Biotechnology offers a promise for a world population expected to reach nearly nine billion by 2050

Biotechnology products have the potential to help children around the world who suffer from nutritional deficiencies.

Medicine and Biotechnology

Considerable efforts are being devoted to the development of vaccines for killer diseases such as AIDS

Monoclonal antibodies will be used to boost the body’s defense and guide anti-cancer drugs to their target sites.

Technology may also help to rid the human and animal world of a range of parasitic diseases by producing specific antibodies to particular parasites

Medical Biotechnology Synthesis of drugs,

hormones, and animal health products, together with drug-delivery mechanisms, are all advancing rapidly

Enzyme replacement and gene replacement therapy are other areas where progress is anticipated

The next decade will see significant advances in medicine, agriculture, and animal health directly attributed to biotechnology

Growth Potential for Worldwide Biotechnological Markets by the Year 2000

Market Sector $ In Millions

Energy 15,392

Foods 11,912

Chemicals 9,936

Health Care (pharmaceuticals)

8,544

Agriculture 8,048

Metal Recovery 4,304

Pollution Control 96

Emerging Careers in….Biotechnology

Biotechnology may be one of the most applied sciences of the 21st century

This science uses living cells and materials produced by cells to create pharmaceutical, diagnostic, agricultural, environmental, and other products to benefit society.

With the United States as the current world leader in the research, development, and commercialization of biotechnology products, biotechnology offers many exciting career opportunities across a multitude of industries.

Careers in Biotechnology

Occupation Median Annual Earnings

Growth Rate Typical Education

Veterinary Technologist and Technicians

$22,900 39% Associate Degree

Technical Writers

$50,600 30% Bachelor’s Degree or Higher

Biological Technicians

$32,700 26% Associate degree

Biochemists and Biophysicists

$60,400 21% Bachelor’s degree or Higher

Agricultural and Food science Technicians

$28,600 15% Associate Degree

Something to thing about.. With the advances in biotechnology, soon we may have

designer babies. Is this good or bad? Many ethical questions will and have arrived along with all this wonderful knowledge.

If you were pregnant with your first child and you could have an amniocentesis would you? If you do and find out the infant is going to be grossly retarded would you keep the baby or have an abortion?

With knowledge comes much responsibility. Think about it.