Introduction
Science and technology is a broad field of study that involves the interaction between technology and science. As a standalone, science revolves around the systematic building and organizing of knowledge to develop explanations as well as predictions with regard to nature and the universe ( Bhargava & Srivastava, 2012) . Technology, on the other hand, makes reference to a collection of techniques, processes, and methods that are utilized to produce goods as well as services or to accomplish given objectives that may include scientific investigations among other objectives. The interaction between science and technology is exhibited through the science driving technological development through the generation of demand for new instruments and processes to provide solutions to scientific questions. In turn, technology can influence scientific investigations through the creation of demand for technological improvements which are only achievable through research and questioning of underlying principles relied upon by new technology.
Differences between science and technology
Even though the terms science and technology have been used interchangeably, significant difference exists between the two. First, science is built around knowing while technology is largely built around doing ( Prasad, 2017) . As such, science can be viewed as the study of “things” that provide analysis for interactions, physical properties, and processes as a way to bring rationality or establish certain properties about such “things”. Unlike science, technology is largely viewed as referring to items of use. Additionally, science is based on experiments with controls such that when there is a result that can be measured and reproduced repeatedly a conclusion is made becoming a scientific law. Unlike science, technology is not mainly about acquiring knowledge but rather utilizing existing knowledge to come up with tools and processes that can be used to control or adapt to the environment.
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Choice of biotechnology
I have chosen cloning biotechnology for the completion of this assignment. Cloning has been described as the utilization of several processes to produce organisms (clones) that are identical to the biological identity from which they were developed ( Wong, 2018) . During the process of cloning, the clone usually acquires biological material similar to the parent organism (vector).
Cloning as biotechnology is undertaken using several techniques that make copies of genes to be cloned. First, the gene from an organism is introduced to the genetic material of the vector. With the introduction of the foreign DNA to the vector, the vector is put in laboratory conditions that are favorable for multiplication hence copying the gene over and over again.
Existing scientific discoveries prior to cloning
The cell nucleus
Before cloning biotechnology was brought forward several discoveries had been made that acted as the springing board for scientific cloning. The advancements for cloning can be dated for over a hundred years when landmark discoveries were made ( Hu, 2017) . First, the cell nucleus was discovered with further studies showing that it was possible to separate cells within the nucleus and have them grow into different organisms. Hans Spemann set out to split two embryo cells of a salamander using a hair strand until the cells were separated. Using a fertilized salamander egg, Hans pushed the nucleus of the cell to one side of the cytoplasm making the egg divided into two. He discovered that the egg divided into cells for only the part of the cytoplasm that had the nucleus. He allowed the nucleus from one of the cells “slip” into the part of the egg that was non-dividing and he noticed that the “new” cell developed into a salamander embryo.
The DNA
With Hans’s discoveries, the path to cloning was cleared with James Watson and Francis Crick discovering the structure of the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) ( Wong, 2018) . Discovery of the DNA paved way for cloning making it possible to have many similar copies of a DNA piece. As such, a target gene can be inserted into a piece of DNA to make protein.
Prior technologies
Plasmids
The advancement of cloning could not have been possible without prior technologies being set in place. One of the notable technologies is the development of plasmids. Plasmids are circular double-stranded molecules of the DNA that are distinct from the chromosomal DNA of cells ( Prasad, 2017) . Plasmids have been shown to be naturally occurring in eukaryotes providing such eukaryotes with genetic advantages that include resistance to antibiotics. As such scientists have utilized plasmids as a tool for cloning, transferring, and manipulating genes.
DNA ligase and restriction enzymes
Another notable technology employed in the development of cloning is restriction enzymes. Restriction enzymes are enzymes that have the ability to cut DNA with each enzyme recognizing target sequences and cutting the DNA at such sequences ( Hu, 2017) . On the other hand, DNA ligase is an enzyme capable of joining DNA. When the restriction enzymes have successful cut DNA, the DNA ligase can identify matching ends joining them to form single cells that are unbroken DNA molecules. The technology has been in existence for over three decades with the first plasmids being developed in 1977.
Impacts of biotechnology advances
The advancement in biotechnology has proven to be double pronged with positive as well as negative results. First, it has become possible for the production of biopharmaceuticals such as insulin which can be administered to individuals who cannot possibly synthesize insulin ( Kaur & Khajuria, 2015) . Additionally, tissue plasminogen activator is another biopharmaceutical that can be used in preventing blood clotting as well as stroke. Furthermore, cloning can be used in undertaking gene analysis to determine how particular normal genes function.
Cloning possesses drawbacks especially with shown adverse health effects created by inefficient techniques applied in cloning. Cloned organisms have shown defects at birth, premature aging, and immune system problems. Another drawback is represented in the ability of cloning to result in cancerous cells ( Kaur & Khajuria, 2015) . Since cells used in cloning have the potential to proliferate indefinitely just like cancer cells, application of such cells can lead to accumulated mutations resulting in cancer.
Conclusion
The biotechnological advancement of cloning has come a long way working to open up opportunities for its utilization to benefit human beings. Discoveries and technologies have been made before that has provided cloning biotechnology with the appropriate foundation. However, despite the potential benefits that cloning has brought there are underlying negative impacts that if not closely monitored can lead to epidemics. Additionally, there are ethical concerns over some of the cloning technologies such as in vitro fertilization as well as human cloning. Even though they may pose as useful to some quarters of the population, unscrupulous scientists can utilize the same to endanger the whole human race.
References
Bhargava, A., & Srivastava, S. (2012). Biotechnology: New Ideas, New Developments: a Textbook of Modern Technology . Nova Science Pub.
Hu, W. (2017). Engineering Principles in Biotechnology . Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.
Kaur, L., & Khajuria, R. (2015). Industrial Biotechnology: Principles and Applications . Hauppauge, NY: Nova Science Pub.
Prasad, R. (2017). Fungal Nanotechnology: Applications in Agriculture, Industry, and Medicine . Basingstoke, England: Springer.
Wong, D. W. (2018). The ABCs of Gene Cloning . Basingstoke, England: Springer.
