Biotechnology is a broad term used in applications and scientific innovations that use organisms or products for commercial purposes. The use of living cells and the molecules to acquire a wide range of practices used to improve human lives (Afzal et al., 2016). Biotechnology is an old term but the past three decades have seen unprecedented discoveries and innovations, for instance, genetic engineering that uses genes between organisms or modifies the genes by adding or removing desired traits and characteristics. The GMOs and cloning of the breeds to improve the existing crops and livestock respectively have dominated the biotechnology in agriculture (Zhang, 2016). The biotech applications have improved the crops and animals to withstand the harsh climate and diseases but how has biotech improved medicine or human health?
Biotech Applications in Medicine
DNA sequence dominates most of the medical biotech applications. The knowledge of DNA has evolved over the past few decades hence, its use in the different fields such as DNA use in forensic and criminal investigations but this is not a fundamental medical application. Molecular diagnosis uses PCR, Monoclonal antibodies and microarrays to amplify and identify the DNA sequence of pathogens and help in the formulation of medicine (Afzal et al., 2016). This biotech innovation enhances accuracy and quick identification of diseases compared to the conventional diagnostics. The applications mainly PCR have been instrumental in the detection of complex pathogens, an infectious organism that was difficult to grow in culture and enhanced the detection of a broad range of diseases (Afzal et al., 2016). The advancement in these applications in the future will enhance human health and reduce the costs of healthcare due to the elimination of the errors and misdiagnosis that increases the medications costs. Recent use of nanotechnology has improved the diagnosis of diseases such as TB, Hepatitis C, and pregnancy dipsticks among other ailments (Saini, Saini & Sharma, 2010). The microarrays have improved the DNA-based tests with the use of nanotechnology due to its ability to study the complex genetic components of pathogens and organisms.
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Microarrays and the nanotechnology enables the production of vaccines through the recombining naked DNA vaccines, viral vectors, and plant-derived vaccines. The technology and ability to obtain and develop these infectious subunits enables the development of vaccines. Biotechnology enables the formulation of vaccines by enabling scientists to understand the stimulation and reaction of using the vaccine against the virus or bacteria without causing the disease (Afzal et al., 2016). The contention of the gene therapy that will include the use of big data and clinical gene therapy would result in enhancing retrovirus and genetic-borne defects to manipulate reproductive organs to prevent and solve mental ailments will improve the vaccine and therapy in the future. In the current world, most of the drugs and vaccines are developed from traditional pharmaceutical products. The anticipation that with the predicted growth and development of biotechnology, it will be possible to enhance transgenic and tissue culture from Factor Xa and blood cells to target transfusion (Zhang, 2016). Such innovations will enhance the biopharmaceutical, improve the drugs, transfusions, and limit the conjugation of blood and cells.
Lastly, cloning of animal DNA and RNA have resulted in improved breeds that are able to withstand the changing climatic conditions and diseases compared to traditional breeds. However, the ability to clone humans is still the main agenda of the biotechnology. Since the mid-1990s, scientists have spent billions in trying to understand human DNA and complexity but have failed to develop a living human being whereas it has been an obsession even in the entertainment sector. Cancer is still a sticky issue even in the current innovative world. Therefore, cloning of humans is a biotechnology application that would save lives and ensure that humans become more adapted and resistance to diseases and climatic changes. Before such discovery is achieved, it is essential for scientists to culture organisms and enables regeneration of body parts (Zhang, 2016). For instance, the ability to clone a heart, kidney, and liver would save lives of millions who die waiting for donors. The ability to form blood with all its compounds would also improve the health of the world’s population.
References
Afzal, H., Zahid, K., Ali, Q., Sarwar, K., Shakoor, S., Nasir, U., & Nasir, I. (2016). Role of Biotechnology in Improving Human Health. Journal Of Molecular Biomarkers & Diagnosis , 07 (06).
Saini, R., Saini, S., & Sharma, S. (2010). Nanotechnology: The future medicine. Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery , 3 (1), 32.
Zhang, S. (2016, July 7). Healthcare and Life Sciences: The Future of Biotech in 100 Years? -Prescouter - Custom Intelligence, On-Demand. Retrieved July 18, 2018, from https://prescouter.com/2016/07/healthcare-science-future-biotech-100-years/
