Biotechnology - Uses and Risks

In modern terms Biotechnology is also called as genetic engineering or cell and tissue culture. Biotechnology is the branch of science make the use of live organisms and their products in the field of medicine, engineering and technology. Biotech has been flourished since ancient times but the term was not realized at that time. Take simple example of milk that gets converted into yogurt because the bacteria's or yeast get fermented. This is the natural process. In the same way biotechnologist make use of such organisms in the field of medicine and technology.

Genetic Engineering is one of the example of biotechnology. Genetic Engineering is the process of modifying or transferring the genes of an organism to a DNA molecule in order to add or remove the desired characteristics. That means we can genetically modify the organism or crops or humans.

Uses of Biotechnology

• Agriculture and food -With the help of genetic engineering, the genetic composition of plants, animals and organism can be altered and modified.
  Many years back farmers use to improve their harvest by using the seed of healthier and highest yield plant so that the upcoming crops would be healthier and excess in quantity. In biotechnology world same technique is used. The biotechnologist study and understand the traits of plants and with the help of hybridization and cross breeding of required trait plants and crops are grown. In this way plant and crops remains healthier and provides good quantity.

• Pesticides - Many bacteria's has the ability to kill and repel the pests. Biotechnologist with the help of such bacteria's produce the pesticides that can be useful in garden and agricultural fields.
• Poultry - There are engineered chickens which help to get rid of avian diseases (diseases related to birds and poultry animals)
• Humans - Gene Therapy - It is a branch of biotechnology which alters the human DNA to treat or cure the diseases. Diseases like cancer, AIDS or autoimmune diseases can be cured with the help of gene therapy.
• Biopharmaceutical drugs - It is the synthesis of drugs but not by using the chemicals instead using the large molecules of proteins. These protein based drugs attack the body with hidden disease and destroy them. Hence such drugs can be useful in the diseases like cancer, heart diseases or liver diseases.
• Industrial Biotechnology - It is the scientific techniques to improve the environment and industrial production. It can be useful in waste removal or pollution reduction. For example -methane can be derived from a type of bacteria that can degrade the sulfur liquor which is the waste product of paper manufacturing. Thus methane can be used as a fuel.

Thus biotechnology is broadly useful in every industry and field from agriculture, plants, poultry, humans, medicine, etc. Biotechnology is very promising field in the future but the risks and complications are always involved.

Risks involved

• Due to improved and processed food there are chances of food allergy. There are some people who are allergic to specific synthetic food items.
• In developing countries farmers still use the seeds to harvest but they may not be good in quantity and affects the farmers profit.
• Some people may misuse the technology which may affect the world.