Transcript Biotechnology

Biotechnology
• The use of living organisms, or parts of
organisms, to produce products used by
people, such as:
– Medication, vaccines
– Food, beverage
– Cloth
– Fuel
– Furniture
Biotechnology: Medicine
Scientists have used bacteria to make
several substances that are used to treat
disease.
– Insulin for treating diabetes
– Hormones for replacement therapy
– Antibiotics for fighting other bacteria
Biotechnology: Medicine
Like bacteria, viruses can also be used to
make substances used in medication.
These are called “piggyback vaccines”.
The idea is that the new harmless version
would compete for resources with the
harmful version, reducing the
effectiveness of HIV and other viruses.
Biotechnology: Food
Biotech has been used in food production for
thousands of years, starting with the first
loaf of yeast bread and the first jug of wine.
In modern times, scientists are seeking ways
to alter crops and animals in several ways:
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Resistant to diseases
Resistant to herbicides
Resistant to extreme weather
Taste better
More nutritious
Increased crop yield
Biotechnology: Food
THINK – PAIR – SHARE
What are the benefits of genetically
modified foods, aka GM foods?
What are the down sides?
Biotechnology: Fuel
Ethanol is distilled from maize, sugar cane,
sorghum, sugar beet, or cereal grains.
Biomass fuel is natural gas captured from
decomposing organic matter, like manure
lagoons and land fills.
Biodiesel comes primarily from sunflower
seed oil, rapeseed oil, or other vegetable
oils.
Scientists are even creating bacteria that
makes diesel fuel as a by-product!
Biotechnology: Fashion
We’ve seen corn processed into plastic
cups. But now that same idea is being
applied to cloth.
Plastic fibers such as acrylic and polyester
are now able to be replaced with a cornbased version.
Biotechnology: Furniture
Wood furniture has been grown into shape
for nearly a hundred years.
The first grown chair was in 1914!
There are several manufacturers of grown
furniture all over the world.
Biotechnology
in North Carolina
NC has a number of biotech firms. Many are
located in the State-funded NC Biotechnology
Center, in Research Triangle Park.
Biotech companies generate technical jobs and
conduct research that helps farmers increase
their crop yield (and income).
There is now less farmland, and fewer
independent farmers. Farmhands are in less
demand because of lower-maintenance plants.
Biotechnology & Ethics
Ethics is a system of commonly recognized
right and wrong.
The use of biotech presents ethical issues that
the scientific community and society must
face.
– Are GM foods and animals safe?
– Is it right for humans to alter nature?
– Do the many lives saved make up for it?
There are no easy answer. Scientists and
consumers must decide which forms of
biotech are appropriate and which are not.