Biotechnology and Its Applications

Study Notes

Biotechnology is the application of modern techniques in fields like engineering and medicine to produce diverse products.

The increasing human population requires higher yields of milk, meat, cereals, fruits, and vegetables.
Biotechnology has improved the quality of animals and crops, increasing milk and meat production.
Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are used to produce better quality food products.
Examples of GMOs include featherless chickens, hornless bulls, and cows that can produce human milk.
GMOs are also used to produce fruits and vegetables with improved quality and longer shelf life.
Biofortification, the process of increasing the density of vitamins and minerals in crops, is used to produce crops with higher nutritional value.
Examples of biofortified crops include rice with more iron, corn with more iron, and kiwi fruit with more iron.

Major staple crops are often deficient in essential nutrients, leading to widespread mineral deficiency diseases.
Biotechnology approaches have targeted increasing iron content in rice grains.
Biofortification of wheat includes new varieties with higher iron and zinc content.
GMOs are used to produce crops with higher yield and improved nutritional value.

Fermented foods are made using microorganisms, and can be obtained from milk, fruits, vegetables, legumes, and meat.
Examples of fermented foods include yogurt, cheese, vinegar, pickles, and kimchi.
Biotechnology has improved the production of fermented foods, making them faster, better, and more economical.
GMOs are used to produce yogurt and cheese with beneficial probiotics.

Insulin was the first biotechnology medicine to be commercialized in 1982.
Biotechnology is used to produce hormones, including insulin, human growth hormone, and others.
Biotechnology is also used to develop vaccines, including the Hepatitis and COVID-19 vaccines.
Gene therapies are another application of biotechnology in medicine.

Biotechnology has the potential to change the way we live, impacting food, agriculture, medicine, and the environment.
Achievements of biotechnology include:
- Producing more nutritious foods
- Developing disease-resistant crops
- Increasing yields of milk, eggs, and meat
- Producing vaccines and human hormones
- Creating biofuels and biodegradable plastics
- Removing toxic wastes from the environment

Biotechnology uses engineering to genetically modify animals and plants.
Biotechnology has economic benefits and leads to increased productivity.
Genetically modified organisms combat deficiency diseases and improve human health.
Biotechnology has increased life expectancy and improved the health system.
Biotechnology is helping to reduce pollution and transition to renewable energy.