Biotechnology is the stream of study that integrates biology and technology to develop products and systems that can improve our lives and benefit the health of our planet as a whole. The most significant contribution of biotechnology is the production of therapeutic proteins and other drugs through genetic engineering.

Biotechnology research focuses on discovering the root molecular causes of diseases and intervening precisely at that level to find out the remedies. Modern biotechnology has generated solutions through products and technologies to combat rare diseases, address environmental concerns, develop cleaner energy, and have a safer, cleaner, and more efficient industrial manufacturing process.

The basics of biotechnology refer to the application of technology to use living systems and organisms in developing new solutions for human needs. This process uses different techniques that have created a breakthrough in genetic studies and research.

The study of biotechnology involves analysis of the design and functions of living organisms and provides scientists with the tools and techniques to implement in various commercial, industrial, and healthcare applications for human benefits.

Principles of Biotechnology

Biotechnology is a field involving applied biology and natural sciences. It uses the concepts of genetics, molecular biology, biochemistry, and other life sciences to develop products or processes that improve the conditions of the living world. Biotechnology principles deal with two main aspects of living systems as explained below.

Genetic Engineering

Genetic engineering is one of the core principles of biotechnology and deals with the DNA of an organism and alters it to create new gene structures and characteristics in living organisms. The underlying principle in this process is to alter the characteristics of an existing organism by modifying the genetic structure which involves recombinant DNA technology. It also applies genetic manipulation technologies such as gene edits, RNA interference, and genome editing.

This technology involves techniques of modifying DNA sequences with precision and inserting a gene from one species into another. It helps to generate immunity to certain diseases or environmental conditions.

Genetic engineering has led to significant advances in the understanding of gene functions and treatments for critical diseases. The study and implementation of genetic engineering have improved the quality or quantity of products, improve human health, created disease-resistant plants, etc.

Bioprocess Engineering

Bioprocess engineering is an integral principle of biotechnology that deals with the process of designing and managing biological systems. The processes typically include the production, control, and optimization of products and processes through the application of bio-sciences. It involves a fundamental understanding and application of basic physical science concepts such as thermodynamics or chemical kinetics for modeling biochemical reactions.

Bioprocess Engineering is also responsible for process control, monitoring systems, and quality assurance by integrating biochemical and mechanical design to optimize production. The Bioprocess Engineering principles also include cellular replication or protein expression to achieve desired product qualities.

Origin of Modern Biotechnology

Modern biotechnology refers to newer applications in the field of biotechnology involving genetic engineering and cell fusion. It is a common question: when did modern biotechnology begin?

Modern biotechnology is said to begin with the invention of genetic engineering. It is believed that modern biotechnology started in 1973 when scientists first genetically engineered Escherichia coli bacteria with a new gene structure that made them resistant to an antibiotic.

The scientists introduced a process of using proteins called restriction enzymes to produce cuts in the DNA chain and insert foreign DNA. The bacteria would then start using the new genetic information and act in the desired way.

Concept of Biotechnology

The term Biotechnology was first introduced in 1919 by Karloly Ereky which indicates the process of making products from raw materials with the aid of living organisms. Biotechnology is the use of biology to develop new products, methods, and organisms which can be used systematically to improve human health and society.

The concept of biotechnology started long ago with the domestication of plants, and animals and the discovery of fermentation. The field has shown significant development over the last century evolving various methods to manipulate the genetic configuration of living organisms.

The modern concept of biotechnology draws inputs from various disciplines of science and technology such as chemistry, macular biology, genetics, etc. Modern biotechnology begins with the study of genes in plants and animals that determine the characteristics of the organism. Scientists have developed techniques to modify genes to strengthen the characteristics of an organism or create an entirely new one. These modified organisms can be beneficial to humans by producing high-yield crops or increasing resistance to diseases and extreme climatic conditions.

Types of Biotechnology

There are two main types of Biotechnology-

1. Medical Biotechnology

Medical Biotechnology uses living cells and cell materials to develop efficient ways of maintaining human health. It broadly focuses on finding a cure, prevention, and causes of diseases. It involves the use of these tools for understanding human cell biology, pathogens, and human response to pathogens. It also involves a DNA study to know more about genetic diseases and how to cure them. Medical biotechnology also studies the genetic make-up of cells and alters them with tools to develop beneficial products for mankind. Example- Insulin. Vaccines and antibiotics which are in use today are all made by using biotechnology.

Examples-

Vaccines- Vaccines are weakened or mortal strains of pathogens introduced in the bloodstream so that the body feels attacked and fights the attenuated strains of the pathogen. Our body takes note of the chemical structure of the pathogen and keeps a memory locked in the cells within the body. On infection with the actual disease, the memory cells direct the body about how to fight the pathogen. Thus, vaccines are made using the tools of biotechnology.
Antibiotics - Antibiotics are biotechnologically developed anti-microbial substances that combat bacterial infections in the body. Antibiotics not just kill the bacteria, but prevent its spread and reproduction inside the body. Thus, drugs that kill the germs in our body which cause diseases are antibiotics.
Hormones- There are various medical applications of synthetic hormones. Mostly they are used in birth control methods or for treating some symptomatic diseases. In some individuals’ hormonal organs don’t work efficiently to produce the necessary amount of hormone in the body. To meet these needs synthetic hormones are taken externally. Example- Synthetic thyroid hormone tablets.

2. Agricultural Biotechnology

This field makes the use of tools of biotechnology to develop genetically modified plants with two motives. One is to increase the yield and the second is to add an additional feature to the plant for profitable purposes. Genetic crosses can be invented by studying the genes of certain species of plants and thus, they can be altered to withstand weather or other physical conditions. Which the plant otherwise cannot withstand due to the presence of certain genes.

Examples-

Developing pest-resistant crops- Important crops are very susceptible to pest attack. Pests either decrease the yield of crops or destroy the crops completely. Biotechnological techniques are used to develop pest-resistant crops. Crops can also be saved from the pests by using pesticides, but they are harmful to human health. Therefore, a genetic alteration within the plants is neither harmful for humans nor malicious to plants and saves them from the pests. Bt. cotton, Bt. Brinjal are all successful examples of such crops.
Even in animal husbandry, gene modulation and manipulation are used to obtain offspring with desirable traits.

Applications of Biotechnology

The different applications of biotechnology includes the following:

Nutrient Enhancement

Nutrient content can be increased in crops by biotechnology applications. Golden rice is prepared by the infusion of beta-carotene into the rice.

Sustainable Agriculture

Biotechnology helps in the production of weather-resistant crops that can handle cold, drought, salinity, etc. in regions with extreme climatic conditions.

Industrial Biotechnology

Biotechnology can be used in the production of industrial products for commercial use.

Healthcare

Biotechnology has wide applications in the field of pharmaceuticals to find out remedial solutions to less curable deceases.

Conclusion

Biotechnology is the field that utilizes living organisms to make technological advances in various fields for the sustainable development of mankind. Biotechnology is best known for its role in medicine and pharmaceuticals, but it is also applied in other areas such as food production, environment protection, and industrial manufacturing. Modern biotechnology continues to make significant contributions to improve human health and quality of life, providing products and therapies to combat diseases, enhance crop productivity, and produce biofuels to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

1. What are the benefits of Biotechnology?

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FAQs on Biotechnology: Know Everything About It

1. What is biotechnology and what are its core principles as per the CBSE syllabus for 2025-26?

Biotechnology uses living organisms or enzymes from organisms to create products and processes beneficial to humans. The two core principles that enabled modern biotechnology are:

Genetic Engineering: The technique of altering the chemistry of genetic material (DNA and RNA) to introduce it into host organisms, thereby changing the host's phenotype.
Bioprocess Engineering: The maintenance of sterile (microbe-free) conditions in chemical engineering processes to allow the growth of only the desired microbe or eukaryotic cell in large quantities for manufacturing products like antibiotics, vaccines, and enzymes.

2. What is Recombinant DNA (rDNA) technology?

Recombinant DNA technology, a key part of genetic engineering, involves the creation of new combinations of DNA segments that are not found together in nature. The process involves isolating a desired gene, inserting it into a vector (like a plasmid), and then introducing this modified vector into a host organism. This allows for the production of specific proteins or the modification of the host's traits.

3. What are the major applications of biotechnology in the field of medicine?

Biotechnology has revolutionised medicine through several key applications:

Therapeutics: It allows for the mass production of safer and more effective therapeutic drugs, such as genetically engineered insulin for diabetes management.
Diagnostics: Techniques like PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) and ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay) are used for early and accurate diagnosis of diseases.
Gene Therapy: It is a collection of methods that allows the correction of a gene defect that has been diagnosed in a child or embryo.

4. How is biotechnology used in agriculture? Explain with the example of Bt cotton.

In agriculture, biotechnology is used to create genetically modified crops with enhanced traits like pest resistance, herbicide tolerance, and improved nutritional value. A prime example is Bt cotton. A gene from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) that codes for a toxic protein is introduced into the cotton plant. When an insect like a bollworm ingests parts of the plant, the toxin is activated in its gut, leading to its death. This reduces the need for chemical pesticides.

5. Why are restriction enzymes referred to as 'molecular scissors' in biotechnology?

Restriction enzymes are called 'molecular scissors' because of their ability to recognise and cut DNA molecules at specific, unique sequences known as restriction sites. This precise cutting action is fundamental to genetic engineering, as it allows scientists to isolate a specific gene from a larger DNA molecule and insert it into a plasmid or another DNA vector to create recombinant DNA.

6. What are the main subfields or types of biotechnology?

Biotechnology is a broad field often categorised by colour codes based on its application area:

Red Biotechnology (Medical): Focuses on health care, including developing new drugs, diagnostics, and gene therapies.
Green Biotechnology (Agricultural): Pertains to agricultural processes, such as developing genetically modified crops and biofertilisers.
White Biotechnology (Industrial): Involves using living cells and enzymes to produce goods for industrial use, like biofuels, detergents, and vitamins.
Blue Biotechnology (Marine and Aquatic): Explores marine organisms to develop new products and industrial applications.

7. Why is maintaining sterile conditions essential in biotechnological processes?

Maintaining sterile, or aseptic, conditions is critical in bioprocess engineering to prevent contamination. Any unwanted microbial growth can compete for nutrients with the desired organism, reduce the yield of the target product, or produce harmful by-products. Sterilisation ensures that only the genetically modified or desired organism grows, leading to a pure and high-quality product, which is especially important in the manufacturing of pharmaceuticals like vaccines and insulin.

8. What are the primary ethical concerns related to genetic modification and biotechnology?

The manipulation of living organisms raises significant ethical concerns. Key issues include the potential for unforeseen negative impacts on ecosystems from genetically modified organisms (GMOs), the morality of altering the genetic makeup of animals and humans, and the risk of creating 'superweeds' or antibiotic resistance. To regulate these issues in India, the government has set up organisations like the GEAC (Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee) to validate the safety of GM research and products.

9. How does the production of genetically engineered insulin represent a major advancement over older methods?

Before biotechnology, insulin for treating diabetes was extracted from the pancreas of slaughtered cattle and pigs. This method had two major problems: it could cause allergic reactions in some patients, and supply was limited. Genetically engineered insulin, or humulin, is produced by inserting the human insulin gene into E. coli bacteria. This method provides a virtually unlimited supply of pure human insulin, eliminating the risk of allergic reactions and ensuring a consistent, safe, and effective treatment for diabetes.