Revision: 12th Std >> Biotechnology MAH-MHT CET (PCM/PCB) Biotechnology

The technique of bringing about improvements in living organisms by genetic modifications and hybridization, for the welfare of human beings is known as ‘Biotechnology’.

The European Federation of Biotechnology (EFB) defined biotechnology as ‘the integration of natural science and organisms, cells, parts thereof, and molecular analogues for products and services.’

A genomic library is a collection of clones that represent an organism's whole genome.

The technique of treating genetic disorders by correcting defective genes in somatic cells is called gene therapy.

Seeds produced by recombination of genes from two different crop varieties to obtain improved characteristics, especially in fruits, are called hybrid seeds.

Bioethics are a set of standards that may be used to regulate our activities in relation to the biological world.

Bioethics is the branch of ethics that deals with moral principles and issues arising from advances in biology, medicine, and life sciences.

Patents granted for biological entities and for products derived from them are called biopatents.

Biopiracy is defined as ‘theft of various natural products and then selling them by getting patent without giving any benefits or compensation back to the host country’.

or

It is an unauthorised misappropriation of any biological resource and indigenous knowledge.

• Biotechnology involves the use of biological systems, cells, and biomolecules along with genetic and non-genetic techniques for human welfare.
• It integrates sciences such as cytology, biochemistry, molecular biology, and genetic engineering and has major applications in agriculture and pharmacy.
• Biotechnology enables production of antibiotics, vaccines, hormones (insulin), antibodies, and development of high-yield crop varieties through tissue culture and gene manipulation.
• Major benefits include increased crop yield, development of disease- and stress-resistant varieties, and reduced expenditure on disease control.
• In India, biotechnology is promoted by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) established in 1986, under which several national research institutes function.

• Earlier insulin was obtained from animals, which caused allergic reactions and could not meet large-scale demand.
• Recombinant DNA technology enabled large-scale production of human insulin, first produced in 1983 as Humulin®.
• Human insulin consists of two polypeptide chains (A and B) that are produced separately in E. coli using plasmid vectors.
• The purified A and B chains are joined by disulphide bonds to form active human insulin.

• Vaccines produced using recombinant DNA technology are called recombinant or subunit vaccines, such as the hepatitis-B vaccine.
• These vaccines may be protein vaccines (using specific antigens) or DNA vaccines that induce an immune response.
• Examples include hepatitis-B vaccine produced in yeast, rotavirus, dengue, HPV vaccines, and plant-based edible vaccines.

• Biotechnology helps in increasing crop yield and food production.
• It promotes the use of biofertilizers and biopesticides instead of harmful chemicals.
• Genetically modified crops improve resistance to pests and diseases.
• It allows precise introduction of useful genes to improve crop quality.

• Gene therapy is a technique used to treat genetic disorders by replacing a defective gene with a functional gene.
• Viral vectors are commonly used to deliver the therapeutic gene into the patient’s target cells.
• It is especially effective for single-gene disorders such as sickle cell anaemia, cystic fibrosis, and SCID.
• In ADA deficiency, functional ADA gene is introduced into patient’s lymphocytes, improving immune function, though repeated treatment may be required.