Applications of Biotechnology

Biotechnology is the technique which uses substances and living organisms to enhance a product for its practical uses.Biotechnology is predominantly used in the agricultural spheres for improving of the produce.The scope of activities include plant

Uses of Biotechnology in Agriculture

Biotechnology is predominantly used in the agricultural spheres for improving of the produce. The scope of activities include plant, breeding for raising and stabilizing yields, increase pest resistance, immunity from diseases, shield against weathering and add more nutrition content in the produce.

Intensive research and development has brought in new strains of crops that have been engineered by the use of biotechnology to improve on better yields, to reduce production period, add more taste to the produce and other improvements and features.

Insect tolerance

Biotechnology is applied for producing inherent properties in plants for insect tolerance and withstanding the onslaught of pests. Bt toxins which are found in the natural state in the soil is a natural shield against insects. However with the commercial insecticides farmers are apprehensive of the outcome in the long term usage. Biotechnology helps to bring in a balance.

Herbicide tolerance

Herbicides have a tendency to kill almost all plants and in order to bring about a constructive change biotechnology is being used to bring about a compatible solution to this problem. The process implants resistance in plants to the use of herbicides as well as complements the health of the plants.

Virus tolerance

Plants are susceptible to diseases at all stages of growth and are prone to attack by virus. The process of implant of virus genes in a plant helps the plants to fend off viral diseases. Biotechnology provides the key to plant protection on a large scale to bring about a better turnout.

Other engineered projects

In certain instances biotechnology has been introduced for delaying the process of ripening of fruits to extend the shelf life and for transporting facilities, as in tomatoes. Genetically engineered cotton has now been commercialized after extensive research.

The development of vaccines to combat rabies is another product of biotechnology. With the growing scope of biotechnology they find application in diverse spheres such as forestry and marine life to bring about a better quality of life to the respective inhabitants.

Engineered Livestock Programs

Biotechnology has found varied application in the agricultural arena not confined to plants alone. Livestock, poultry, fish rearing have the component of biotechnology infused in them. By and large the science is applied to bring about a better output in terms of milk and table meat. Accelerated growth programs are also inducted so the growing cycle time is drastically reduced whereby production rates soar within shorter time spans.

The other aspects are infusing of immunity in the farm animals and fish to ward off diseases at all stages of growth.

Engineered Microorganisms as Pesticides

Engineering microorganisms are being used to repel pests and also annihilate them as part of the biotechnology programs and these products are now commercial.

Industrial biotechnology

Industrial companies make use of the biotechnology to improve efficiency and reduce environmental impacts of processes found in textile, chemical, paper and pulp industries. Biotechnology helps with producing biocatalysts for neutralizing chemicals and the desired enzyme can be made available for the purpose.

Environmental biotechnology

This is applied for prevention of pollution and for waste treatment. Biotechnology is far more effective than conventional methods for clean up of wastes and dependence on redundant methodologies are greatly reduces more so for land based waste disposal.

Human applications of biotechnology

Biotechnology along with biochemical methodologies finds application for production of proteins for the pharmaceutical industry. Given a copy a harmless bacteria strain can reproduce human insulin. Generic therapy finds usage in the treatment of diseases like cancer, AIDS and others. This is a promising area of research which could well be applied to other maladies. Hence, biotechnical means are utilized for generating numerous proteins for the pharmaceutical industry.

One of the powerful and notable applications of biotechnology is the DNA fingerprint cross match of the victim and suspect at crime scenes to make an assessment. Forensic experts engage the science of biotechnology for their tests.

DNA tests are also used to determine the human evolution by matching human fossils from different geographical locations and seeking to know how close they are related.

Biotechnology into the 21st century Food

All countries in the present situation are bound to face food shortages in the times to come. On one hand the population growth is escalating and on the other land under cultivation is hard to get. Biotechnology plays a major role in bringing about bigger yields with the currently available cultivated lands and also sustaining the fertility of the lands on hand.

Larger yields, nutritional values, crop flexibility, making away with chemical pesticides are some of the benefits that biotechnology offers as a catalyst for the world’s food supply in the future.

Summary

The use of biotechnology is wide and the advantages compelling that it is integral in all spheres of activity such as textiles, chemicals, household products, diagnostics, pharmaceuticals, aquaculture, forestry, etc. The list is endless and the applications mind boggling.

However, there are certain risks associated with progress in any specific area and these are to be regulated to avail of the maximum advantages with the least amount of risk.

With every passing day biotechnology is finding use in many innovative programs and continuous research is being conducted to open the immense potential this technology holds for mankind.