Bulacan State University

SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY STS 101

1
 Bulacan State University
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY STS 101

Biotechnology 7
Title of the Lesson: Understanding Biotechnology and Its Applications
Time Frame: 3 hours

INTRODUCTION
According to Ratledge & Kristiansen (2006), biotechnology is one of the major
technologies of the twenty-first century. Its wide-ranging, multi-disciplinary activities
include recombinant DNA techniques, cloning, and the application of microbiology and
other cell culture technologies to the production of a wide range of goods from bread to
antibiotics. It continues to revolutionize treatments of many diseases and is used to
provide clean technologies and to deal with environmental problems.

In addition to this, basic biotechnology uniquely combines biology and

bioprocessing topics to provide a complete overview of biotechnology. It explains the
fundamental principles that underpin all biotechnology and provides a full range of
examples showing how these principles are applied; from starting substrate to the final
product. A distinctive feature of this text is the discussion of the public perception of
biotechnology and the business of biotechnology, which sets the science in a broader
context. This comprehensive text is essential reading for all students and practitioners of
biotechnology and researchers in academia, research institutes, and biotechnology
industries.

2
 Bulacan State University
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY STS 101

OBJECTIVES
At the end of this lesson, students are expected to:
1. Define the importance and contributions of applied research like biotechnology.
2. Identify the different applications of biotechnology.
3. Promote knowledge of the different plant and animal products of biotechnology in
terms of food supply, health, and medical diagnosis.

DISCUSSION
Public Perception of Biotechnology

According to J.E. Smith (2013) of the University of Strathclyde in the United Kingdom,
public perception of new technologies can have pronounced effects on the timing and
direction of innovation, and rates of uptake or discrimination of the technology, and its
products and services. Public perception can be area - or region-specific (e.g. North
America, Southeast Asia, etc.) and will be dependent on several variables, namely
• economic affluence,
• level of education,
• cultural and religious values and traditions,
• social and institutional ways of participation.

Before entering into an examination of how the general public is believed to perceive
modern biotechnology, especially genomics, and proteomics, it is pertinent to highlight
how biotechnology evolved historically to its present-day profound and positive impact on
• industry,
• medicine,
• agriculture,
• commerce
• and the environment

3
 Bulacan State University
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY STS 101

The following are examples of microbial aspects of biotechnology that evolved over
many centuries as an artisan skill rather than as a science exemplified in ancient
manufacturing:
• beer
• wine
• cheese
• yogurts
• fermented meats such as salami, etc.

In all of these product examples, the industries involved with their manufacture contribute
to national prosperity and the well-being of the population.

Developments in the domain of genomics and, more recently, proteomics, can be

expected (and indeed have already been applied in some instances) to make important
scientific advances in the field of human health, namely
• the use of genetically modified organisms for the production of
biopharmaceuticals (i.e. insulin) and vaccines;
• elucidation of the molecular basis of many diseases;
• genome sequence obtainment of more human pathogens, allowing better
treatment for diseases;
• development of more successful gene therapy techniques for genetic diseases
and cancer;
• more rapid and easily used disease diagnosis making use of molecular,
biological, and immunological techniques;
• improved nutrition by selected application of GM technology of food plants;
• the development of biosensors, such as DNA probes, for monitoring
metabolites in the body.

Biotechnology and Its Applications

The applications of biotechnology include therapeutics, diagnostics, genetically modified

crops for agriculture, processed food, bioremediation, waste treatment, and energy
production (Sharma, 2021). Three critical research areas of biotechnology are:
(i) Providing the best catalyst in the form of an improved organism usually a
microbe or pure
enzyme.
(ii) Creating optimal conditions through engineering for a catalyst to act.
(iii) Downstream processing technologies to purify the protein/organic
compound.

4
 Bulacan State University
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY STS 101

Biotechnological Applications in Agriculture

Three options that can be thought of for increasing food production:

(i) agrochemical based agriculture;
(ii) organic agriculture; and
(iii) genetically engineered crop-based agriculture.

Plants, bacteria, fungi, and animals whose genes have been altered by manipulation are
called Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs). GM plants have been useful in many
ways. Genetic modification has:
(i) made crops more tolerant to abiotic stresses (cold, drought, salt, heat).
(ii) reduced reliance on chemical pesticides (pest-resistant crops).
(iii) helped to reduce post-harvest losses.
(iv) increased efficiency of mineral usage by plants (this prevents early
exhaustion of fertility of soil).
(v) enhanced nutritional value of food, e.g., golden rice, i.e., Vitamin ‘A’ enriched
rice.

Applications of biotechnology in agriculture are the production of pest-resistant plants,

which could decrease the number of pesticides used like Bt toxin, which is produced by
a bacterium called Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt for short). Bt toxin gene has been cloned
from the bacteria and been expressed in plants to provide resistance to insects without
the need for insecticides; in effect creating a bio-pesticide like Bt Cotton, some strains of
Bacillus thuringiensis produce proteins that kill certain insects such as lepidopterans
(tobacco budworm, armyworm), coleopterans (beetles), and dipterans (flies, mosquitoes).
B. thuringiensis forms protein crystals during a particular phase of their growth.

5
 Bulacan State University
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY STS 101

Figure 1 Cotton boll: (a) destroyed by bollworms; (b) a fully mature cotton boll
Source: Vipin Kumar Shaman, 2021

Another example is using Agrobacterium vectors, nematode-specific genes were

introduced into the host plant shown below. The introduction of DNA was such that it
produced both sense and anti-sense RNA in the host cells. These two RNAs being
complementary to each other formed a double-stranded (dsRNA) that initiated RNAi and
thus, silenced the specific mRNA of the nematode. The consequence was that the
parasite could not survive in a transgenic host expressing specific interfering RNA. The
transgenic plant therefore got itself protected from the parasite.

Figure 2. Host plant-generated dsRNA triggers protection against nematode infestation: (a)
Roots of a typical control plant; (b) transgenic plant roots 5 days after deliberate infection of
nematode but protected through a novel mechanism. Source: Vipin Kumar Shaman, 2021

6
 Bulacan State University
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY STS 101

Biotechnological Applications in Medicine

The recombinant DNA technological processes have made an immense impact in the
area of healthcare by enabling the mass production of safe and more effective therapeutic
drugs (Sharma, 2021). The following are commonly known:

• Genetically Engineered Insulin - In 1983, Eli Lilly an American company

prepared two DNA sequences corresponding to A and B, chains of human
insulin, and introduced them in plasmids of E. coli to produce insulin chains.
Chains A and B were produced separately, extracted, and combined by
creating disulfide bonds to form human insulin.

Figure 3. Maturation of pro-insulin into insulin (simplified)

Source: Vipin Kumar Shaman, 2021

• Gene Therapy - Gene therapy is a collection of methods that allows the

correction of a gene defect that has been diagnosed in a child/embryo. Here
genes are inserted into a person’s cells and tissues to treat a disease.
Correction of a genetic defect involves the delivery of a normal gene into the
individual or embryo to take over the function of and compensate for the non-
functional gene.

The first clinical gene therapy was given in 1990 to a 4-year-old girl with
adenosine deaminase (ADA) deficiency. This enzyme is crucial for the immune
system to function. The disorder is caused due to the deletion of the gene for
adenosine deaminase. In some children ADA deficiency can be cured by bone
marrow transplantation; in others, it can be treated by enzyme replacement
therapy, in which functional ADA is given to the patient by injection.

7
 Bulacan State University
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY STS 101

• Molecular Diagnosis - Effective treatment of a disease, early diagnosis, and

understanding of its pathophysiology is very important. Using conventional
methods of diagnosis (serum and urine analysis, etc.) early detection is not
possible. Recombinant DNA technology, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR),
and Enzyme-Linked Immuno-sorbent Assay (ELISA) are some of the
techniques that serve the purpose of early diagnosis.

Transgenic Animals

According to Singhal & Kansara (2010), organisms containing integrated sequences of

cloned DNA (transgenes), transferred using techniques of genetic engineering (including
those of gene transfer and gene substitution) are called transgenic animals. The
development of transgenic animals has been part of biotechnology research which has
been expanding rapidly. Transgenic animals are produced to yield better and better
quality breeds, increase milk yield, as well as to produce organs to meet the demand for
organ transplantation. Genetically modified animals are proving ever more vital in the
development of new treatments and cures for many serious diseases.

8
 Bulacan State University
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY STS 101

Figure 4. Transposon DNAs were microinjected into fertilized embryos and the blastocysts with transgene were
transferred into the recipient cow. Some transgenic cattle were born, and NGS analysis was used for their
genome variants. Source: Efficient generation of transgenic cattle using the DNA transposon and their analysis
by next-generation sequencing, (Yum, 2021).

9
 Bulacan State University
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY STS 101

Philippine National Policy Statement on Modern Biotechnology

Former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo issued on July 16, 2021, the Philippine
National Policy Statement on Modern Biotechnology, which articulates the government
policy on promoting the safe and responsible use of modern biotechnology and its
products as one of the means to achieve food security, equal access to health services,
sustainable and safe environment, and industry development.

“We shall promote the safe and responsible use of modern biotechnology and its products
as one of several means to achieve and sustain food security, equitable access to health
services, sustainable and safe environment, and industry development.

“We shall ensure that all technologies that we promote, including modern biotechnology,
will provide farmers and fisherfolks the opportunity to increase their overall productivity
and income; enhance the welfare of consumers; promote efficiency, competitiveness, and
improved quality standards of local industries – all within the paramount objective of
attaining safely and sustainable development, including its human, social and
environmental aspects.

“The Departments of Agriculture, Science and Technology, Health, Environment and

Natural Resources, Trade and Industry, and other concerned agencies are hereby
directed to address the current issues associated with the local and global dimensions
and trends of modern biotechnology, including its potential health, environmental and
social impacts. Towards this end, they shall conduct public consultations with
representatives from civil society, government, and business; formulate departmental
directives and regulations on the access to and use of the products of modern
biotechnology, coordinate activities and programs on research, development, and
application; and allocate appropriate resources for the upgrading of capacities and
capabilities to effectively regulate the technology and its products, including but not limited
to product testing and labeling.”

Competent National Authorities and Associated Departments and Agencies

1. Department of Science and Technology (DOST) - as the premiere science and

technology body in the country, shall take the lead in ensuring that the best
available science is utilized and applied in adopting biosafety policies, measures,
and guidelines, and in making biosafety decisions.

2. Department of Agriculture (DA) - As the principal agency of the Philippine

government responsible for the promotion of agricultural development growth,
and rural development to ensure food security and contribute to poverty
alleviation.

10
 Bulacan State University
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY STS 101

3. Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) - as the primary

government agency responsible for the conservation, management,
development, and proper use of the country’s environment and natural
resources, they shall ensure that environmental assessments are done and
impacts identified in biosafety decisions.

4. The Department of Health (DOH) - as the principal authority on health, shall

formulate guidelines for assessing the health impacts posed by modern
biotechnology and its applications. The DOH shall also require, review, and
evaluate the results of environmental health impact assessments related to
modern biotechnology and its applications.

5. Mandate of Associated Departments and Agencies - in coordination with

other concerned departments and agencies, and consistent with the
requirements of transparency and public participation as provided, all other
departments and agencies shall exercise such jurisdiction and other powers that
it has been conferred with under existing laws.

SUMMARY
Biotechnology has made a huge impact in agriculture plant improvements that may be
obtained from genetic engineering, increased tolerance of herbicides, greater resistance
to insect, fungus, and virus pests, develop flowering, delay of fruit degradation and flower
senescence, color alteration in floricultural crops, and enhanced resistance to pollutants.
Meanwhile, in the part of health and medicine like diagnosis and biopharmaceuticals, it
revolutionized medical care and clinical therapies since then and examples are
bioprocessing and regenerative medical technologies. Biotechnology covers a wide
range of commercialization for almost three decades.

11