Issues in Biotechnology

Biotechnology is the branch of biology which deals with the use of microorganisms for performing various industrial functions
or processes. Some describe it as the applied biology which deals with the use of living things in engineering, technology,
medicine and other useful applications of life. At present the modern use of biotechnology is in genetic engineering and tissue
culture technologies. Biotechnology has major use in the domestication of animals and in their breeding to get more healthy
animals. It is also useful in cultivation of plants and improvements in their growth through hybridization.

Biotechnology is applied in four major industrial sectors like health care, agriculture, crop production, non food uses of crops.
For example it plays an important role in manufacturing milk and beer. Other use is to recycle wastes and clean the sites which
get contaminated by industries by using the method bioremediation. Many modern biotechnology applications can be found in
medicine. For example drug production, gene therapy and genetic testing.

With all these benefits of biotechnology, it has some issues also.

Genetically modified food and crops:-

Genetically modified food is used mostly in developed countries. Scientists can successfully take genes from one plant and
inserts them into the desired plants and make varieties of plants of their own choice. USA and China are the developed
countries of the world and they grow genetically modified crops. Through genetic engineering it has been possible to transfer
genes between species of plants which is almost impossible to do in normal or traditional breeding. There is an example of first
genetically modified crop. This crop was modified with a gene which was taken from the bacterium, Bacillus thuringiensis. This
bacterium codes for a toxin which acts against some pests of crops. Now Bt toxins or insecticides are sprayed on the crops and
more healthy and beautiful varieties of crops are produced. But the direct injection of Bt toxin gene into the plant genome
raises many controversies against genetic engineering of crops and food products which are derived from them.

Environmental issue:

Major concern about introducing genetically modified crops is that these crops might put an uncertain impact on the
environment. Main concern is that the gene triggered into the genome of the plant might transfer to the other plants including
weeds. Then there will be specialized form of weeds which can be resistant against insecticides and develop into useless plants.
This transfer of genes may cause the loss of genetic diversity within the crop species and ecosystem can also be destabilized.
Major concern of scientists is about Bt toxins. They consider that this gene might trigger in the non-targeted organisms which
can destroy the populations of useful insects.

Human health issue:

Genetically modified food might also be dangerous for human health. One point is that the novel genes which are transferred
into the crop from the organisms may not be used in the food or animal feed products. Then this introduction of gene will lead
to the allergens into the food chain. For example a gene has been taken from Brazil nut which successfully transferred into the
Soya, an animal feed. When this product was tested for allergens, it showed the positive results and was never brought in the
market for sale. There is another fear about food safety is that toxic compounds may develop in the genetically modified
products. Scientists argue that it is easy to test the toxicity in genetically modified crops. Then there will be less danger in using
genetically modified food.

Genetically modified crops and food safety:

Developing countries are facing a very important challenge that is they hope to use biotechnology to deal with food security.
But they think that genetically modified crops and food is not appropriate for their vital needs. Biotechnology firms have not
succeeded in addressing these needs that is why it leaves a large gap between the public sector and biotech firms. Costs of
research in biotechnology are so high that is why there should be a partnership between public and private sector so that
biotechnology benefits reach those people who are in most need of them. Development of "golden rice" is the new initiative
which has been modified to improve the production of beta carotene. The production of beta carotene is very useful for the
poor countries because it fulfills the deficiency of vitamin A. Lack of this vitamin is the major cause of partial or total blindness
in half a million of children.

Environmental Crisis and Threats to Health

Environmental Crisis are the crisis leads to increase in demands on diminishing resources, demands accelerates as the
population grows and increasing production of wastes.

Salinity Stress and Adverse Effect By: Nidhi Jain

Salinity is one of the most important environmental factor limiting plant growth
Climate Change: Challenges for Food Security

Article basically focuses on brief introduction of Climate change: Challenges for Food Security

Crop Residue Burning - A Threat to the Environment

Burning of agricultural biomass residue, or Crop Residue Burning (CRB) has been identified as a major health hazard. In addition
to causing exposure to extremely high levels of Particulate Matter concentration to people in the immediate vicinity, it is also a
major regional source of pollution, contributing between 12 and 60 per cent of PM concentrations as per various source
apportionment studies. In addition, it causes loss of vital components such as nitrogen, phosphorus, sulphur and potassium
from the topsoil layer, making the land less fertile and unviable for agriculture in the long run. Cultural Practices of Plant
Disease Management

Disease is major threat in production of any crops, not only in the field but also in the growing substrate. Chemical is being
tremendously used in agriculture which is harmful to the environment, soil, water and human beings. Cultural practices may be
a better option to cure or prevent diseases

Livestock Owners-Wildlife Conflict: A Review from India

The interaction between human and wildlife results in human-wildlife conflict which is one of the major problems experienced
by livestock owners in vicinity of protected areas. Livestock Owners-Wildlife Conflict (LOWC) is a global issue, which has been
serious threat all over the world. The conflict results in severe impacts on both human communities and wildlife in the form of
crop damage, livestock depredation, property damage, human injury and human killing.

Leaf-Curl Disease on Brassicas in Delhi Environs: Warning of Climate Change

Fungal diseases like Alternaria blight and white rust are common problem of oilseed Brassica crop. But in recent years
appearance of leaf curl disease on various Brassica spp. is an indication of climate change effect because the disease caused by
Croton yellow vein mosaic virus, transmitted by white fly is not usual phenomenon in oilseed brassica.

Antibiotic Resistance: To Err is Human, To Forgive is Medicine

Antibiotic resistance is probably the greatest medical error the humans are performing on earth. It can be considered
equivalent to a war started due to several human interventions either knowingly or unknowingly. A time will come when the
mankind could see the fatal face of even the simplest form of infection.

Role of Marketing to Diminish Post-harvest Losses of Fruits and Vegetables

To reduce post-harvest losses and increase returns to producers, there is a need of appropriate infrastructure, proper logistical
arrangements, good stakeholder interaction within post-harvest value chains and effective government support services are
prerequisites to gain market access.

Role of Mobile Phones to Make Farming Decisions

The increasing penetration of mobile services in India presents an opportunity to make useful information to farmers like seed
variety selection, best cultivation practices, protection from weather-related damage, handling plant pests and disease and
price realization >> Category: Issues

Carbon Trading: The Future Money Venture for India

India qualifies to be a host country for the CDM projects only. India is considered as one of the most potential countries in the
world for CDM projects. This is due to its large power sector that depends on fossil fuels, and to the proactive policies of the
Indian government towards CDM. The power sector alone is estimated to emit 433 million tonnes of CO2 per annum. The total
CO2 reduction potential through CDM projects in India is estimated to be around 300 million tonnes. The largest potential is in
the renewable energy sector with 90 million tonnes CO2 equivalents. The total expected average annual CER's from registered
projects by India are about 22 million having a 15% world share. Hence the India has a large potential to earn carbon credits
and in this context the carbon consultancy service has a greater part to play and is going to add a new dimension to the
Environmental consultancy and financial services arena (Energy Information Administration, 2011).

Fishing Nets - Evil for Water Birds and Snakes

Fishing net entanglement occurs when fish capturing nets are at, or close to the surface of water during capture of fishes. Birds,
snakes attempting to seize fish from the net become entangled.

The Menace of Performance Enhancing Drugs in Sports | Doping

Drugs that are consumed to give better results in any sporting activity are known as performance enhancing drugs (PEDs) like
anabolic steroid and human growth hormone (hGH).

Issues related to Usage of Artificial Food Colours

Artificial food colours are also known as synthetic food colours as they are synthesized in a completely artificial environment.
These colours are mainly derived from coal tar and petroleum. The consumption of these artificial food colours can have a
negative impact on the health of an individual

Counterfeit Drugs - Various Regulations and Instruments of Change

Medicines that are brought into the market to be sold with a devious intention regarding their origins and efficacy are called
counterfeit drugs. Such drugs are fake and they can be mislabeled purposely which is known as fraud.

Issues in Food Labeling | Nutrition label standards in US, UK and India

A small area seen on a food packet that has a wide range of data describing the values of nutrition that the food item provides
is called a food label.

Euthanasia: Types, History and Issues

When a person decides to end his or her own life purposely to get rid of the pain and the suffering that he or she is going
through, is called euthanasia.

Side Effects of Hormone Replacement Therapy

In the biggest clinical test to date, an estrogen-progestin pill combination (Prempro) increased the threat of certain severe
conditions, including: blood clots, heart disease, stroke, breast cancer and more. A related clinical test evaluating only estrogen
in women who earlier had a hysterectomy found no raised risk of heart disease or breast cancer.

Misuse of Antibiotics Puts You and Your Family in Danger

Antibiotic resistance arises when antibiotics no longer show its activity against disease-causing or infectious bacteria. These
infections are complex to treat and can create longer lasting sicknesses, extended hospital stays or more doctor visits, and the
requirement for more toxic and expensive medications. Some resistant illnesses can even cause death.

Electronic Data Capture - An Essential Element in the Field of DM

EDC and its definition, key issues, benefits and demerits. Raising some of its crusial points like why this system is still lagging
behind in the market and how we can uplift it.
Orchids : The Defined Beauty of Nature on Earth
Theophrastus, the father of botany (370 -285 BC) named 'ORCHIDS' on the basis of the resemblance of paired underground
tubers to masculine anatomy (the testes). They shows fascination for their beautiful flowers. They represent to the family
Orchidaceae, the most highly evolved family among monocotyledons with 600 to 800 genera and 25,000-35,000 species in the
world. They are peculiar and are highly valued in the international market.

Hazards of Biotechnology (Disadvantages and negative effects of Biotech)

As every coin has two sides. Biotech with its promising future also has many negative effects. Biotechnology has seemed to
have improved the conditions of living, yet with all its promises it has its wide disadvantages too.

BT Cotton and BT Brinjal - Controversies and IPR Issues

Controversies regarding BT crops indicate that issues are more concerned to nutrition, yield and public policy rather than
beneficial effects of GM crops. Focus should be on reports that have indicated yield increases, pest resistance; economical
saving followed by reduced pesticide use and in turn the gift of clean and healthy environment.

Gene Therapy - Issues and Ethical Aspects

The technology that make it possible for modifying genetic material and the possibility of introduction of these modified DNA
into cells of patients using vectors led to the notion of gene therapy, that helps to correct the action of a defective gene.
However, the methods involved and clinical trials raise many questions related to ethical issues that demands a detailed
discussion with the public.

Becoming Post-Human : Genetic engineering

Genetic engineering (GE) on germinal tissues is the ability to change one's genes in a way that his/her offspring will be affected.
This can be done in the early stages of development with current knowledge. Fortunately, attitudes are changing and recently
the first genetically-engineered babies were born, though the technique used involved changing a small amount of
mitochondrial DNA.

Bioethics: Ethical Issues of Biotechnology

What is Bioethics? Biotechnology is a very vast field and its techniques are used in various other fields like Agriculture, Medicine
and Molecular Biology, it also has some ethical issues.

Issues Related to Attachment-dependent Animal Cell Culture

Animal cell culture can be done by two methods, namely attachment-dependant animal cell culture and suspension animal cell
culture. Both the ways has got some issues. But current article talks about the issues related to the attachment-dependent
animal cell culture method.

Issues Related to Suspension Animal Cell Culture

Animal cell culture is a technique used to culture animal cells outside the tissue or organ from which they are extracted. Animal
cell are cultured mainly by two methods, such as suspension culture and anchorage dependant culture. But both type of culture
method have got some issues. This article talks about the issues related to suspension culture method.

Pollution: An Environmental Issue

Pollution is the major environmental issue which causes various diseases making the environment polluted by contaminants,
radiation and chemicals.

Bioethics of Human Genetics

Research in the field of human genetics is very thorny but could be very informative and used to predict, change or select the
useful trait.

Potential Risks of Agriculture Biotechnology

Biotechnology used in agriculture to improve crop yield, nutrient value, to produce pesticide resistant plant, drought resistant
plants. By doing these entire thing the crop loss due to pests or by drought condition are reduced. But agriculture
biotechnology has got some of the potential risks on human health, environment.

Effects of Genetic Pollution in Plants and Animals

What is Genetic pollution? By definition it is the flow of genes from genetically modified organisms to the non-genetically
modified organisms. Due to this reason, the population of animals or plants may undergo certain genetic changes in them or
they might completely extinct.

Gene Doping - Techniques, Effects and Ethics

Gene Doping can be defines as the non therapeutic use of gene, genetic elements or artificially changing gene expression to
enhance athletic performance. Gene or DNA used to increase the muscle strength and capacity of athletes is known as gene
doping.