Transcript biotechnology

Concepts of Engineering
and Technology
BIOTECHNOLOGY
Science, Technology, and Ethics
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2012. All rights reserved.
What is Biotechnology?
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The application of technology to the study
or manipulation of living things.
Refers to techniques used by scientists to
modify the genetic material of a
microorganism, plant, or animal in order
to achieve a desired trait.
Power to intervene in what might be
thought of as 'the fabric of life'.
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2012. All rights reserved.
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We began growing crops and raising
animals 10,000 years ago to provide a
stable supply of food and clothing.
We have used the biological processes of
microorganisms for 6,000 years to make
useful food products, such as bread and
cheese, and to preserve dairy products.
In the last 40 years we’ve gone from
practicing biotechnology at a macro level
— breeding animals and crops, for
example — to working with it at a micro
level.
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2012. All rights reserved.
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The biotechnology industry emerged
in the 1970s, based largely on a new
recombinant DNA technique.
Because virtually all cells speak the
same genetic language, DNA from one
cell can be read and acted on in
another one — even a different cell
type from a different species.
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2012. All rights reserved.
What are the major fields in bio?
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Genetic engineering
Environmental technology
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Crop and animal breeding
Medicine
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Ecology and environmental problems
Bioremediation
Diagnostics
Pharmaceuticals
Nutrition
Forensics
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Categories
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Therapeutics :
 Products
that cure or reduce the
incidence of disease.
 Treatment of cancer, diabetes,
HIV/AIDS and autoimmune
disorders.
 human
insulin
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Diagnostics :
 Products
that test for the
presence of various health or
disease states.
 Examples include:
 Cancers,
Alzheimer’s disease,
heart disease, diabetes, multiple
sclerosis, AIDS and arthritis.
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2012. All rights reserved.
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Agricultural :
 Products
related to crop and
livestock production, including
genetic engineering, veterinary
activities, and food processing:
 increasing
yields and farm income
 decreasing pesticide applications and
improving soil and water quality
 providing healthful foods for consumers
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2012. All rights reserved.
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Bioremediation and new high
technology applications :
 Bioremediation
involves using
biotechnology-designed
organisms to clean up oil or
other spills.
 Researchers are creating new
sources of energy and linking
biotechnology with
microelectronics,
nanotechnology and other high
technology industries.
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2012. All rights reserved.
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Bioindustry suppliers :
 Specialized
materials, equipment
or services for other bioindustry
firms.
 Such products include reagents
(substances used in chemical
reactions), specialized software,
and technical instruments for
gene splicing.
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2012. All rights reserved.
Procedures
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Genetic engineering, cell culture
techniques, cultivation of microorganisms
DNA and basic molecular biological
methods
Fermentation using microorganisms in
brewing, baking, and cheese production
are biotechnologies that date back
centuries.
Production of human insulin in bacteria to
treat type I diabetes
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2012. All rights reserved.
Genetic engineering
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The collection of techniques used to:
 isolate genes
 modify genes so they function
better
 prepare genes to be inserted into a
new species
 develop transgenes
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Ethical and Social
Considerations
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2012. All rights reserved.
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Different perspectives by regulators,
animal rights activists, biomedical
researchers and organ recipients
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Heart transplants are as radically
unnatural as gene transplants
'if we can do it, let's do it'
Public suspicion about the reliability
and independence of 'expert' advice
Environmental consequences
Long-term effects
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2012. All rights reserved.
Ethical Topics
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Whether human DNA should be made
patentable
Stem cells
Animal research
Organ donation
Xenotransplantation
Cloning
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Ethical Analysis
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Formulation of the dilemma;
Finding out the possible options of action in
this situation;
Assignment of the optional actions to values
that are touched by the action and reflection
of the consequences;
Taking a justified decision for one of the
options of action in respect to the reflections in
step 3;
Assignment of the decision taken to one of the
two higher categories of argumentation;
Description and discussion of the
consequences of the decision taken in step 4
for the individual and for the society.
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Student Research Report
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Individual or team
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Pick or assign a topic
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Determines length and quality
Ethical controversies
New or cutting edge technology
Historical figure or event
Subject of personal interest
Rubric used for assessment
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2012. All rights reserved.
Research
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Use the ethical analysis to aid the
presentation or report
Analyze both pro and con
Defend moral judgments
http://biotech.about.com/od/bioethics/Ethi
cs_Topics_in_Biotechnology.htm
http://www.library.ca.gov/crb/96/07/BIOT
_CH4.html
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2012. All rights reserved.