Modern biotechnology

Humans have been manipulating living things for thousands of years. Examples of early biotechnologies include domesticating plants and animals and then selectively breeding them for specific characteristics. Find out more about ancient biotechnology.

Modern biotechnologies involve making useful products from whole organisms or parts of organisms, such as molecules, cells, tissues and organs. Recent developments in biotechnology include genetically modified plants and animals, cell therapies and nanotechnology. These products are not in everyday use but may be of benefit to us in the future.

Applications in biotechnology

Key applications of biotechnology include:

• DNA profiling – for further information see the article DNA profiling
• DNA cloning – for further information see the article DNA cloning
• transgenesis
• genome analysis
• stem cells and tissue engineering – for further information see the article Stem cells
• xenotransplantation – for further information see the article Xenotransplantation.

Meeting human needs and demands

Medicine

Gene modification or transgenesis are used to produce therapeutic human proteins in cells or whole organisms. The cell or organism used depends upon how large and complex the protein is. For example, human insulin, a small protein used to treat diabetes, is made in genetically engineered bacteria, whereas large, more complex proteins like hormones or antibodies are made in mammalian cells or transgenic animals.

Antibiotics and vaccines are products of microorganisms that are used to treat disease. Modern biotechnologies involve manipulating vaccines so they are more effective or can be delivered by different routes.

Gene therapy technologies are being developed to treat diseases like cancer, Parkinson’s disease and cystic fibrosis. In New Zealand, gene therapy is being used as a way to target and kill cancer cells with fewer side effects.

Xenotransplantation is the transplanting of cells, tissue or organs from one species into another. In New Zealand, cells from a unique, virus-free population of pigs are being used to treat people with type 1 diabetes. Find out more about this in the article Pig cell transplants.

For further information see the article, Xenotransplantation.

Agriculture

Plants and animals can be improved by selectively breeding for particular traits or by genetic modification. Beneficial traits can be identified visually or by DNA profiling. For example, farmers may want plants with herbicide or insect resistance, tolerance to different growing environments or improved storage, or they may want livestock with better meat and wool or resistance to disease.

Forensics

DNA profiling is used in forensic analysis to identify DNA samples at a crime scene or to determine parentage.

For further information see the article, Forensics and DNA.

Bioremediation

Organisms or parts of organisms can be used to clean up pollution in soil, water or air. In New Zealand, bioremediation has been suggested as an effective way of removing the toxin DDT from the soil.

For further information see article, Public acceptance of bioremediation to address New Zealand’s DDT problem.

Biocontrol and biosecurity

Biocontrol is when one organism is used to control the levels of another. Biocontrol methods are being used in New Zealand to control invasive plants and insects.

For further information, see the article, Biocontrol.

Biocontrol is also being explored as an option to control numbers of possums in New Zealand.

For further information, see the article, Biological control of possums.

Impacts of biotechnology on society

Biotechnologies use organisms or part of organisms to make a product to meet a specific human need. This raises social and ethical issues that are important to discuss.

For further information, see the article, Impacts of biotechnology on society.