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Wednesday, 24 April 2019

Here Is Information On Biotechnologies

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By Henry Fisher


There are numerous professions that have been in existence for as long as humanity has existed. Biotechnology is a good example of these fields. Some of the food like bread that people eat nowadays were brought into being by distant ancestors while they were trying to make life easier. It is true that bread is made through fermentation, which uses yeast. Making use of alive organisms or processes to attain end results that enhance human life is what makes the basis of biotechnology. This is what Biotechnologies are all about.

Even though biotechnology began as a crude field, it has advanced through several stages to what it is today. Scientist such as Alexander Fleming and Edward Jenner are some of the most renowned fathers of biotechnology with their contributions to this field. Jenner invented vaccines while Fleming invented antibiotics and people have continued to benefit from them.

Karl Ereky was an agriculturalist that came up with the term biotechnology in 1919. Ereky described the term as all works that involves production of end products from raw materials by use of living organisms. Currently, the field has advanced to greater extents. Scientists have come up with thoughtful discoveries to symbolize the development of biotechnology.

In recent days, scientists have tried to shape the capabilities of living cells, plants and animals by modifying proteins and DNA. The aim of this modification is to make plants and animals to be more useful to humanity. Manipulation of DNA in laboratories using test tubes makes this possible. However, test tubes are no longer used in the manipulation since the process is done in living cells directly. Recently, greatest discoveries in biotechnology are happening at microscopic levels.

Biotechnological discoveries made in the past and current times have been more helpful than dangerous. Some of the risks associated with this field have largely been discussed, but have not yet been experienced in real life. However, the recent breakthroughs and discoveries may symbolize that biotechnology is achieving maturity and with that comes a genuine concern of risks. There are several risks associated with biotechnology and some are highlighted below.

One of the risks is unintended consequences. At microscopic level, biotechnology is most feared for producing the most frustrating effects on human beings. Gene edition and deletion is an aspect of biotechnology that scientists and scholars are hoping to be the solution to many issues in the world.

Gene deletion has been done in humans severally in efforts to look for ways to control HIV, cancer among other lethal health conditions. The process of deleting genes has been found to be more complicated than it was initially thought. Deferent reactions and behavior occur in the body of humans when they undergo gene deletion. These reactions are usually different from what scientists expected. This led to suspension of tests to pave way for more research on gene deletion.

One more feared risk that is connected to biotechnology achieving its maturity is weaponizing of biology. Whilst outbreaks of severe diseases like Ebola have naturally occurred in the past, it is feared that they may be instigated by people in future. Terrorists and state actors may cause outbreak of ailments with an aim of murdering people or causing other adverse effects.




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