10.1 Introduction To Genetic Engineering

Biotechnology can be defined as "use of living organisms especially microorganisms or their processes and products for the welfare of mankind". The history of biotechnology is as old as the civilization history of man. Knowledge and use of biotechnology is traced back to earliest human society, when they realized to plant their own crops, breed and domesticate their own animals, for continuous supply of good food. But the term biotechnology was introduced by the end of 20th century.

Definition

Biotechnology: Biotechnology can be defined as "use of living organisms especially microorganisms or their processes and products for the welfare of mankind".

Genetic Engineering: Genetic engineering deals with manipulation or alteration in genetic material of an organism to modify its characteristics or capabilities for human welfare.

Recombinant DNA Technology: Recombinant DNA Technology involves the combining DNA (genes) from different sources to create new genetic combinations.

Main Idea

• History of biotechnology is as old as civilization history of man.
• Knowledge and use of biotechnology is traced back to earliest human society.
• They realized to plant their own crops, breed and domesticate their own animals.
• The term biotechnology was introduced by the end of 20th century.
• Biotechnology includes use of living organisms for welfare of mankind.
• Needs of rapidly growing human population led human to develop new animals with modified characteristics.
• Biologists imagined the possibility of growing more nutritive and naturally pest-resistant crops.
• Basis of genetic engineering lies on the technique called Recombinant DNA Technology.
• It involves combining DNA (genes) from different sources to create new genetic combinations.
• It deals with manipulation or alteration in genetic material of an organism.
• Goal: give new traits, improve existing traits, or eliminate undesirable traits.
• Applications of genetic engineering in major fields:
• Agriculture
• Medicine
• Industry
• Genetic engineering is now one of the fastest growing areas of science.
• Craig Venter said 21st century is the "Century of Biology".
• Biotechnology is included among six priority areas of Science and Technology by National Commission of Science and Technology of Pakistan.

Core Concept

• Biotechnology = use of living organisms for welfare of mankind
• Genetic engineering = manipulation of genetic material
• Recombinant DNA technology = combining DNA from different sources
• Applications = agriculture, medicine, industry
• Agriculture = GM crops resistant to pests, diseases, stresses
• Medicine = gene therapies, biopharmaceuticals
• Industry = biofuels, biodegradation, environment friendly chemicals
• Century of Biology = 21st century
• Six priority areas = biotechnology included by National Commission of Science and Technology of Pakistan

Detailed Explanation

Introduction to Genetic Engineering

• The history of biotechnology is as old as the civilization history of man.
• Knowledge and use of biotechnology is traced back to earliest human society, when they realized to plant their own crops, breed and domesticate their own animals, for continuous supply of good food.
• But the term biotechnology was introduced by the end of 20th century.
• Biotechnology can be defined as "use of living organisms especially microorganisms or their processes and products for the welfare of mankind".
• Use of biotechnology led human to produce yogurt and cheese from fermented milk, wine or beer from fermented juices of fruit, sugarcane or malted barley.
• Since early civilizations, people have been preparing the leather by tanning process which involves the use of multiple bacteria.

Needs of Rapidly Growing Human Population

• Needs of rapidly growing human population, led the human to develop new animals with modified characteristics.
• Biologists imagined the possibility of growing more nutritive and naturally pest-resistant crops.
• Biotechnology is so vast field but this chapter touches a brief part of biotechnology, called Genetic engineering.
• Basis of genetic engineering lies on the technique called Recombinant DNA Technology which involves the combining DNA (genes) from different sources to create new genetic combinations.
• It deals with manipulation or alteration in genetic material of an organism to modify its characteristics or capabilities for human welfare.
• Genetic engineering of any organism can be done by adding, removing or editing specific genes within its genome.
• Thus the goal to give new traits to the organism, improve its existing traits or eliminate undesirable traits is achieved by genetic engineering.
• Human hope to develop unlimited and useful medicines and vaccines by modifying genome of microorganisms.
• Bacteria have been used to clean up environmental pollutants, increase the fertility of the soil and kill insect pest.

Applications of Genetic Engineering

Applications of genetic engineering are greatly helpful to humans in the following major fields:

Agriculture: - Genetically modified (GM) crops are being produced that are resistant to pests, diseases or adverse environmental stresses.

• Research is being carried out to develop gene therapies for the treatment of genetic disorders and to find innovative and effective ways to combat fatal diseases like hepatitis and cancer.
• Improved biopharmaceuticals like insulin, antibiotics and vaccines are synthesized by genetic engineering.

Industry: - Genetic engineering of microorganisms help in the production of biofuels, biodegradation of industrial and sewerage waste and development of environment friendly chemicals.

Genetic Engineering as a Growing Field

• Genetic engineering is now one of the fastest growing areas of science.
• Hence great genetic engineer Craig Venter rightly said that the 21st century is the "Century of Biology".
• Biotechnology has been included among the six priority areas of Science and Technology by the National Commission of Science and Technology of Pakistan.

Summary Table of Applications

Summary of Genetic Engineering

Intermediate Level

Introduction to Genetic Engineering

Applications of Genetic Engineering

History of Biotechnology

Formula / Mathematical Form

Not applicable to this topic.

Solved Example

Not applicable to this topic (descriptive topic).

Important Points

• 1. Biotechnology is use of living organisms for welfare of mankind.
• 2. History of biotechnology is as old as civilization history of man.
• 3. Earliest human society planted crops and domesticated animals.
• 4. Term biotechnology introduced by end of 20th century.
• 5. Yogurt, cheese, wine, beer, leather are products of biotechnology.
• 6. Genetic engineering is manipulation of genetic material.
• 7. Recombinant DNA technology is basis of genetic engineering.
• 8. Recombinant DNA technology combines DNA from different sources.
• 9. Genetic engineering can add, remove, or edit genes.
• 10. Goal is to give new traits, improve existing traits, or eliminate undesirable traits.
• 11. Applications in agriculture.
• 12. Applications in medicine.
• 13. Applications in industry.
• 14. GM crops are resistant to pests, diseases, stresses.
• 15. Gene therapies are being developed.
• 16. Biopharmaceuticals like insulin, antibiotics, vaccines are synthesized.
• 17. Biofuels are produced.
• 18. Biodegradation of waste occurs.
• 19. Environment friendly chemicals are developed.
• 20. 21st century is the "Century of Biology".

Remember

• - Biotechnology = use of living organisms for welfare of mankind
• - Genetic engineering = manipulation of genetic material
• - Recombinant DNA technology = combining DNA from different sources
• - Applications = agriculture, medicine, industry
• - Agriculture = GM crops resistant to pests, diseases, stresses
• - Medicine = gene therapies, biopharmaceuticals
• - Industry = biofuels, biodegradation, environment friendly chemicals
• - Century of Biology = 21st century
• - Six priority areas = biotechnology included by National Commission of Science and Technology of Pakistan

Common Mistakes

• 1. Confusing biotechnology and genetic engineering — Biotechnology is broader; genetic engineering is a part.
• 2. Forgetting the history — Biotechnology is old as civilization.
• 3. Mixing up the applications — Agriculture, medicine, industry.
• 4. Forgetting the role of recombinant DNA technology — Basis of genetic engineering.
• 5. Mixing up the goals — New traits, improved traits, eliminate undesirable traits.
• 6. Believing genetic engineering is new — It is a modern term for an old practice.
• 7. Mixing up the fields — GM crops for agriculture; insulin for medicine; biofuels for industry.
• 8. Forgetting the "Century of Biology" — 21st century.
• 9. Mixing up the priority areas — Biotechnology is included by National Commission of Science and Technology of Pakistan.
• 10. Thinking genetic engineering is only for medicine — It also has agricultural and industrial applications.

Quick Revision

Biotechnology can be defined as "use of living organisms especially microorganisms or their processes and products for the welfare of mankind". The history of biotechnology is as old as the civilization history of man. Knowledge and use of biotechnology is traced back to earliest human society, when they realized to plant their own crops, breed and domesticate their own animals, for continuous supply of good food. But the term biotechnology was introduced by the end of 20th century. Use of biotechnology led human to produce yogurt and cheese from fermented milk, wine or beer from fermented juices of fruit, sugarcane or malted barley. Since early civilizations, people have been preparing the leather by tanning process which involves the use of multiple bacteria. Needs of rapidly growing human population, led the human to develop new animals with modified characteristics. Biologists imagined the possibility of growing more nutritive and naturally pest-resistant crops. Biotechnology is so vast field but this chapter touches a brief part of biotechnology, called Genetic engineering. Basis of genetic engineering lies on the technique called Recombinant DNA Technology which involves the combining DNA (genes) from different sources to create new genetic combinations. It deals with manipulation or alteration in genetic material of an organism to modify its characteristics or capabilities for human welfare. Genetic engineering of any organism can be done by adding, removing or editing specific genes within its genome. Thus the goal to give new traits to the organism, improve its existing traits or eliminate undesirable traits is achieved by genetic engineering. Human hope to develop unlimited and useful medicines and vaccines by modifying genome of microorganisms. Bacteria have been used to clean up environmental pollutants, increase the fertility of the soil and kill insect pest. Applications of genetic engineering are greatly helpful to humans in the following major fields: Agriculture: Genetically modified (GM) crops are being produced that are resistant to pests, diseases or adverse environmental stresses. Medicine: Research is being carried out to develop gene therapies for the treatment of genetic disorders and to find innovative and effective ways to combat fatal diseases like hepatitis and cancer. Improved biopharmaceuticals like insulin, antibiotics and vaccines are synthesized by genetic engineering. Industry: Genetic engineering of microorganisms help in the production of biofuels, biodegradation of industrial and sewerage waste and development of environment friendly chemicals. Genetic engineering is now one of the fastest growing areas of science, hence great genetic engineer Craig Venter rightly said that the 21st century is the "Century of Biology". Biotechnology has been included among the six priority areas of Science and Technology by the National Commission of Science and Technology of Pakistan.

60-Second Revision

• Biotechnology = use of living organisms for welfare of mankind
• Genetic engineering = manipulation of genetic material
• Recombinant DNA technology = combining DNA from different sources
• Applications = agriculture, medicine, industry
• Agriculture = GM crops resistant to pests, diseases, stresses
• Medicine = gene therapies, biopharmaceuticals
• Industry = biofuels, biodegradation, environment friendly chemicals
• Century of Biology = 21st century
• Warning: Genetic engineering is a part of biotechnology

NEXT TOPIC

• Chapter:
• 10. Biotechnology

• Topic:
• 10.1.1 RECOMBINANT DNA TECHNOLOGY

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