Biotechnology Sean Townsend Senior Research Officer- Jamaica - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Biotechnology

Sean Townsend Senior Research Officer- Jamaica Clearing-House Mechanism Natural History Division Institute of Jamaica

What is Biotechnology?

• The term ‘biotechnology’ refers to any

technological application that uses biological systems, living organisms, or derivatives thereof, to make or modify products or processes for a specific use.

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)

• Nucleic acid that contains the genetic instructions

used in the development and functioning of all known living organisms and some viruses.

• The main role of DNA molecules is the long-term

storage of information. DNA is often compared to a set of blueprints or a recipe, since it contains the instructions needed to construct other components of cells, such as proteins and RNA molecules.

• The DNA segments that carry this genetic

information are called genes, but other DNA sequences have structural purposes, or are involved in regulating the use of this genetic information.

What is Biosafety?

• Biosafety is a term used to describe efforts to

reduce and eliminate the potential risks resulting from biotechnology and its products.

What are Living Modified Organisms (LMO’s)?

• The Organisms resulting from the use of modern

biotechnological techniques are commonly referred to as genetically modified organisms (GMO’s) or living modified organisms (LMO’s).

• LMO’s include a variety of food crops that have been

genetically modified to possess the desired traits for benefits such as increased nutritional productivity and resistance to pests or diseases. Common examples of modified crops include tomatoes, cassava, corn and soybeans.

Cloning

• This is the process of producing a genetically

identical copy. Genes can be cloned, as well as cells and whole organisms. Many plants clone themselves naturally to reproduce. Plants can also be cloned by simply taking a cutting a twig or stem and planting it. This is called vegetative propagation.

What are some potential benefits of biotechnology?

• Advances in medicine, agriculture and other

fields, e.g. new medical treatments & vaccines, new industrial products & improved fibres & fuels.

• Increase in food security
• Increased yield in marginal lands
• Reduced use of water in agriculture

Potential benefits (cont’d)

Develop species which may be :-

• Pest Resistance
• Herbicide tolerance
• Disease resistance
• Cold tolerance
• Drought tolerance/salinity tolerance
• Enhanced nutrition
• Pharmaceuticals

What are some potential risks of biotechnology?

• Adverse effects on biological diversity
• Risks to human health (e.g. Allergies, resistance to antibiotics etc.)
• Development of super weeds
• The instability of inserted genes
• Insect resistance (Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt))
• Negative impact on non-targets:
• Terminator technology (suicide gene) or the GURT

Technology: Genetic Use Restriction Technologies (GURTs)

Examples of crops that have been genetically modified:

Sugar Beet Oilseed Rape Carnation Chicory Cotton Maize Melon Papaya Potato Rice Soybean Sunflower Tomato Tobacco Wheat Lentil Plum

Examples of animals that have been genetically modified

• Pigs

Dogs Monkey

• Chickens

Eggs Fishes

• Mice

Flies

GloFish

Labeling

• Consumers have a right to know what is in

their food -especially those products for which health and

environmental concerns have not been satisfactorily resolved.

• For religious or ethical reasons - persons may want

to avoid eating animal products, including animal DNA

• Mandatory labeling -will allow consumers to identify

and avoid food products that may pose health risk e.g. allergic reaction.