Benefits Of Genetic Engineering As Biotechnology

Can genetic engineering be regarded as biotechnology?

The link between genetic engineering and biotechnology is that both manipulate cells to modify and give the cells new and better functions. The difference between the two is. The reason why genetic engineering can be considered biotechnology is

Biotechnology

Biotechnology is the use of technology and biology to improve people’s lives, health and the planet itself. It is a biological process that makes use of cells and organisms to form useful products that improve agricultural and industrial production help decrease environmental issues by creating new energy and fossil sources. It is the application of biology in technology to modify organisms for a specific function.

Examples:

Pesticide resistant plants:

In agriculture, pests have always been a huge problem killing crops and reducing production yield of farmers. Farmers who also use pesticides find that the pesticides decreased the quality of the crops and also pollute the environment. Sometimes pesticides are too strong and kill the crops. After much research a bacterium was discovered to control pests. Bacillus thuringiensis produces a protein that is toxic to much pests. The protein is produced in crystal form but when ingested by insects the protein becomes toxic killing the gut f the insect. The protein is harmless to plants and humans as it is found in nature. The Bacillus thuringiensis is found in many different strains which target different insects. Biotechnologists have found a way to introduce this protein to plants in order to make them resistant to pests. If the plants were able to produce the protein on their own, then they would be able to protect themselves against pests. Biotechnologists have taken advant...

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...vantages:

The advantage of golden rice is the better nutrition and the prevention of VAD. Also the production yield of the rice will be increased. However this is a problem because biotechnology is expensive. The places in which VAD is common are under developing countries were healthy food is scares. Another disadvantage is that due to limited research no one can be quite sure how safe it is and if

Ethical issues:

The controversy that comes with golden rice is that supporters believes that it the rice can save lives and is a medical breakthrough while critics believe that this may be another money making scheme. The question that is asked is: is it better to take supplements or to eat rice? This question is met with the argument that although you may eat the rice, there could be side effects. Another issue question that people ask is; is the project authentic?