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Biotechnology
Sean Townsend
Senior Research OfficerJamaica 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
• Chickens
• Mice
Dogs
Eggs
Flies
GloFish
Monkey
Fishes
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.