BIOTECHNOLOGY

AND
BIODIVERSITY

Submitted to: Dr. Francia Murao

Submitted by:
Abello, Frhea Love
Baguio, Manny
Collantes, Angela
Lacsina, Raven
Monterroyo, Shiela Mae
Nale, Jinggoy
Rondina, Jennifer
Sanez, Angelina
Valera, Franchesca
BIODIVERSITY
Biodiversity is the mass of different living beings in a particular ecosystem or on the
whole earth. It exists in three different levels; genes, species, and ecosystems. Each of the
components has its own composition, structure and function (Redford & Richter, 2001; Noss,
2005). Biodiversity provides the basis for ecosystems and their services, upon which all people
fundamentally depended (Cardinale et al., 2012). Biodiversity is considered as the base of
agriculture, source of all recent crops and domestic livestock species since the beginning of
human civilization. Similarly, the origin of biotechnology is very deep rooted in the human
history from the starting of domestication of wild plants and animals to recent time. Genetic
manipulation by classical methods of plant breeding and selection of superior and new varieties
started since prehistoric time. Similarly, biotechnology has been used to improve and enhance
crop productivity, as well as to conserve, evaluate and utilize the various aspects of biodiversity
(Brink et al., 1999; Wolfe, 2000).
BIOTECHNOLOGY
Biotechnology has been defined as any technique that uses living organisms, or
substances to make or modify a product, to improve plants or animals, or to develop
microorganisms for specific uses. It consists of a gradient of technologies, ranging from the long-
established and widely used techniques of traditional biotechnology to novel and advanced
biotechniques of cell and tissue-culture methods and transgenic methodology. The beneficial
impact of plant biotechnology on improvement and production of economically important crops
are well established, while it has great impact in conservation of biodiversity too. Advances in
biotechnology, especially in vitro culture and molecular biology especially transgenic technology
lead to the production of a new category of germplasms, cell lines with special attributes and
genetically transformed material (Engelmann, 1991). In vitro culture and collection of
germplasms by rapid, medium and slow growing multiplication processes, slow growth storage,
cryopreservation have great applicability to reduce the risk of loss of plant genetic resources
those are venerable in general growing and storage conditions (Pence et al., 2002). The huge
loss and degradation of plant genetic resources were partially assessed, conserved and managed
by adopting advanced ex situ techniques of advanced biotechnological methods especially in
vitro culture and several techniques of molecular biology for study and analysis purpose of
genetic diversity (Ashmore, 1997; Sarasan et al.,2006; Paunescu, 2009).
THREE LEVELS OF BIODIVERSITY
1. Genetic diversity- is all the different genes contained in all the living species,
including individual plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms.
2. Species diversity- is all the different species, as well as the differences within and between
different species.
3. Ecosystem diversity-is all the different habitats, biological communities and
ecological processes, as well as variation within individual ecosystems.

THE MAJOR CAUSES OF LOSS OF BIODIVERSITY:

1. Habitat destruction
2. Pollution
3. Climate change
4. Invasion of exotic species
5. Human population pressure
6. Agricultural practices
7. Life style change etc. (Opdam & Wascher 2004)

THE STATE OF PHILIPPINE BIODIVERSITY

The following are the facts and figures on the country’s state of biodiversity:
• At least 2000 fish species are found in the Philippines.
• 12,000 plant species and 960 animal species are found in the Philippines.
• Of the 960 of animal species, over 500 are birds and 167 are mammals.
• About 98 of mammal species are endemic to the Philippines.
• There are about 170,000 faunal species, most of which are insects and mostly are unidentified.
• About 488 coral species in 78 general are found in the Philippines out of 5oo known coral
species worldwide.
• There are about 22 principal species of beach vegetation, 10 of which are considered
dominant.
• There are 61 national parks, 2 marine parks, and 8 game refuges and bird sanctuaries, and 10
wilderness areas uncovering an area of 1.4 million hectares of 4% of the total land area of the
Philippines.
TYPES OF BIOTECHNOLOGY
The science of biotechnology can be broken down into sub-disciplines based on common
uses and applications.

1. Red biotechnology – Involves medical processes such as getting organisms to produce new
drugs and using stem cells to regenerate damaged human tissues or perhaps re-grow entire
organs.
2. White (or sometimes seen as gray) biotechnology – Involves industrial processes such as the
production of new chemicals or the development of new fuels for vehicles.
3. Green biotechnology – Applies to agricultural processes such as producing pest-resistant
crops, disease-resistant animals and environmentally-friendly development.
4. Gold biotechnology – Also known as bioinformatics, is a cross between biological processes
and computing that plays a key role in biological data.
5. Blue biotechnology – Encompasses processes in marine and aquatic environments, such as
controlling the proliferation of noxious water-borne organisms.
6. Yellow biotechnology – Refers to processes that aid food production, the most popular
application being the fermentation of alcohol or cheese.
7. Violet biotechnology – Handles the compliance, law and ethical issues that arise within the
field.
8. Dark biotechnology – References the ability to use biotechnology for weapons or warfare.

EXAMPLES OF BIOTECHNOLOGY
-Modern biotechnology can be used for a variety of applications, including the pharmaceutical
industry uses biotechnology to find cures for diseases, understand human cell biology and DNA,
develop vaccines and manufacture antibiotics.
- Chemical manufacturing engineers can use biological processes, such as fermentation and the
use of enzymes or microbes, to streamline chemical manufacturing, reduce operational costs and
reduce chemical emissions.
- Biofuels can be created by altering natural resources, such as corn, to produce combustible fuel.
- Nutrient supplementation can involve biotechnology as some foods are infused with necessary
added nutrients to aid in diet planning or medical treatment.

- Plants and crops can be bred to handle external stresses, such as minimal space or extreme
weather conditions, through biotechnology.

STATE OF BIOTECHNOLOGY IN THE PHILIPPINES

Biotechnology is a science that allows farmers to be more efficient and environmentally
conscious by growing more crops resistant to pests and diseases on less land. This scientific
advancement is essential in the nation, as almost half of Filipinos work in agriculture and the
country is experiencing significant population growth.
Rice is a staple in Filipino culture, but it is not the most nutritious of foods.
Biotechnology in the Philippines is helping researchers develop Golden Rice, which is
genetically modified rice that contains Vitamin A — a vital nutrient for human health. Just by
increasing food production, biotechnology works to assist an ever-changing world facing
overpopulation, starvation and climate change. Climate change is changing the way people farm,
as droughts and deforestation alter the amount of water that can be used for farming.
“The goal of constructing this center is to generate improved technologies, increase
productivity, and enhance commercial value of DA’s priority crops such as rice, abaca, coconut,
white and yellow corn, cotton, cassava, sweet potato, yam, tomato, and eggplant,” Dr. Roel R.
Suralta, head of DA’s Crop Biotechnology Center.
Producing more crops more rapidly means more money in Filipino farmer’s pockets, and
creating pest-resistant crops with the help of biotechnology will increase the likelihood that crops
will be lucrative once harvested.

THE PHILIPPINE RICE RESEARCH INSTITUTE

The Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) is the other main partner for the new
biotechnology building in the Philippines. The organization was created in 1985 by the Filipino
Department of Agriculture to ensure that the production of rice in the Philippines could feed all
Filipinos. PhilRice’s mission is simple: produce quality rice to make sustainable and
environmentally sound profits.
 Biotechnology and plant breeding help rice crops stay pest-resistant in economically
sound and sustainable ways. PhilRice also researches the creation of new, more nutrient-dense
and water-efficient soil, and genetic modification of rice strains works to make the most cost-
effective, pest-resistant breeds.
While the Rice Chemistry and Food Science Division analyzes the progress of these new
technologies, the Rice Engineering and Mechanization Division looks to develop farm
machinery for pre- and post-production to modernize rice farming operations. Such efforts have
been met with policy support to ensure such new technologies and practices are successfully put
into practice.
A communication team has also been put in place to educate and bring awareness to
farmers and the general public on Rice Science for Development (RS4D). Training and
education of new technologies and methods are projected to increase productivity and income for
farmers.

BIOTECHNOLOGY RULES AND GUIDELINES

One green sign is House Bill 844 or “An Act Promoting the Growth of Biotechnology
Industry in Philippines and the Creation of Wealth from Biodiversity” filed by the AGHAM
party-list.
One of the bill’s features is the establishment of the “Philippine Bioindustry R&D
Center” to develop and market competitive biologically-based technologies and products. The
Center also aims to harness the country’s biodiversity in developing competitive products for the
world market, and to manage Biotechnology Research Fund that will support off-Center R&D
and research fellowship and training program; among other functions.
Another provision of the bill is the setting up of the Biotechnology Guarantee Fund
amounting to P500M to provide guarantee for venture capital invested by biotechnology
companies. Companies and company start-ups may also avail of incentives in the form of income
tax deduction, exemption and credit, and other forms of incentives from the Board of
Investments, Philippine Export Processing Zone and Barangay Micro Business Enterprise.

APPLICATION OF BIOTECHNOLOGY TO BIODIVERSITY

 Application of biotechnology (particularly genetic engineering) to improve the crop
plants, medicinal plants, livestock, and microbes and to get new products from various biological
systems is a fast growing sector.
This sector is expected to contribute up to 50% of the world economy in near future. The
chief and critical raw material for biotechnology is the diversified living world which constitutes
the biodiversity.

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BIOTECHNOLOGY AND BIODIVERSITY IS

MULTIDIRECTIONAL (UNEP 1995):
(i) Biotechnology or Molecular Biology provides very powerful tools for critical assessment of
biodiversity, especially genetic diversity, and consequently the identification of potential bio-
resources.
(ii) It gives newer methods and guidelines for conservation of biodiversity.
(iii) It enhances the wise and efficient utilization of bio-resources, both as a genetic resource for
production and in the remediation of altered/degraded ecosystems.
The increasing application of biotechnology to biodiversity (including genetic engineering) has
greatly enhanced the value and availability of bio resources and products for mankind. This is
particularly true with reference to: (i) increased availability food, feed and other renewable raw
materials; (ii) improved human health and hygiene; (iii) greater protection of the environment,
and (iv) enhancement of bio safety and environment-friendly technologies.

BIOTECHNOLOGY TO PROTECT BIODIVERSITY:

1. Biotechnology already assists the conservation of plant and animal genetic resources through:
2. New methods for collecting and storing genes (as seed and tissue culture);
3. Detection and elimination of diseases in gene bank collections;
4. Identification of useful genes;
5. Improved techniques for long-term storage;
6. Safer and more efficient distribution of germplasm to users.
ADVERSE IMPACTS OF BIOTECHNOLOGY ON BIODIVERSITY:
(i) Direct Impacts:
Several direct non-target effects on beneficial and native organisms by GMOS have been
reported:
1. Transgenic Bt cotton plant, which affects a wide array of non-target insects such as butterflies,
moths and beetles.
2. Conferring viral resistance is the likely emergence of new viruses with new biological
characteristics through recombination.
3. Population size of native taxa may be reduced by the enhanced ability of GMOS to invade
natural habitats of native species.
4. Episodic genetic erosion.
(ii) Indirect Impacts:
The indirect impacts of biotechnology on biodiversity are predominantly socioeconomic
ones, operated through human economic and social systems. Indirect impacts of biotechnology
are immense and of very great relevance to people in developing countries who rely directly on
biodiversity for their sustenance.
The impacts themselves are the results of human responses to the changes in relative cost
and prices of biotechnologically derived items. This is best illustrated by an example.
Biotechnological methods lead to the identification of a plant material for an important
pharmaceutical use. This would raise the value of the material, resulting in increased collection
pressure on that plant, which in turn would lead to overexploitation and species loss.
I. TRUE OR FALSE
1. In the biodiversity of the Philippines, it is stated that there are 12,000 plant species and
960 animal species. TRUE
2. Biotechnology is the mass of different living beings in a particular ecosystem or on the
whole earth. FALSE (Biodiversity)
3. The relationship between biotechnology and biodiversity is directional.
FALSE(Multidirectional)
4. Biotechnology has been defined as any technique that uses living organisms, or
substances to make or modify a product, to improve plants or animals, or to develop
microorganisms for specific uses. TRUE
5. The three levels of biodiversity are genetic, species and economic diversity.
FALSE(Ecosystem)
II. ENUMERATION
6-10. Types of Biotechnology (atleast 5 types)
• Red biotechnology
• White biotechnology
• Green biotechnology
• Gold biotechnology
• Blue biotechnology
• Yellow biotechnology
• Violet biotechnology
• Dark biotechnology