Achievements of biotechnology

In genetic engineering programmes, it has become possible to map the whole genome of an organism to find out the function of the genes, cut and transfer into another organism (see Tools of Genetic Engineering and Techniques of Genetic Engineering). Owing to the success achieved from gene cloning, many products have been obtained through genetically engineered cells, and hopefully many can be produced during the current decade. Recombinant DNA technology has made it easier to detect the genetic diseases and cure before the birth of a child or suggest accordingly. Gene bank and DNA clone bank have been constructed to make available different types of genes of its known function. Thus, recombinant DNA technology has made it possible to develop vaccines against viral and malarial diseases, growth hormones and interferon (see Genetic Engineering for Human Welfare).

Biotechnology has caused a revolution in agricultural science. Cell culture and protoplast fusion techniques have resulted in hybrid/cybrid plants through inter-generic crosses which generally are not possible through the conventional hybridization techniques. It has also helped in the production of encapsulated seeds, somaclonal variants, disease resistant plants, herbicide-and stress-resistant plants, and m/gene and nod gene transfer as well. Through cell culture techniques, industrial production of essential oils, alkaloids, pigments, etc. have been boosted up. However, many more works are to be done on horticulture and forestry plants as far as micropropagation and establishment of mycorrhizal fungi are concerned (see Biotechnological Applications of Plant Cell, Tissues and Organ Cultures).

For better yield of agricultural crops, use of biofertilizers (seed bacterization, algalization and green manuring) has become an alternative tool for synthetic chemical fertilzers. The biofertilizers are non-toxic to micro and macro-biota and to humans as well. This would reduce the constrain on fossil-fuel based industries (see Biological Nitrogen Fixation and Biofertilizers). Moreover, to discourage the use of synthetic pesticides, biocontrol agents have been developed and conditions have been investigated when phenomenon of antagonism takes place (see Biological Control of Plant Pathogens, Pests and Weeds).

For the protection of environment and abatement of pollution, treatment of sewage, transformation of domestic wastes and xenobiotic chemicals has drawn much attention in recent years. To combat these problems such bacterial plasmids have been developed that could be used to degrade the complex polymers into non-toxic forms. Strains of cyanobacteria, green algae and fungi have been developed which could be used for the treatment of municipal and domestic sewage and industrial discharges into nontoxic forms and renew them as source of energy.

Biotechnology has helped the bio-industries in producing the novel compounds and optimization, and scale up products, for example alcohols, acids, antibiotics and enzymes (see Primary Metabolites, Secondary Metabolites and Enzyme Technology) and single cell protein and mycoprotein.

Technologies have also been developed to seek an alternative source of energy from biomaterials generated from agricultural, industrial, forestry and municipal sources (see Biomass : A Renewable Source of Energy). Social forestry and short rotation tree plantation will help to reduce the pressure on forests to meet the demand of fuel in rural sector. In industries, biomass fired system have been developed to meet the energy requirement of engines, such as sugar cane mills. Moreover, urban sewage and plant weeds are used for the production of biogas for cooking and lighting purposes (see Biomass Energy (Bio-energy)).

Ban on Genetic Food
It is a growing concern all over the world that the genetic food may pose risks to human health, ecology and the environment. However, it has forced the government of many countries to re-think on introduction of such designer crop.

For the first time the European Commission's Scientific Advisors have recommended that a genetically engineered potato be withheld from the market because they cannot guarantee its safety. Worried at the growing acts of vandalism against the genetically engineered crops in Britain, the environment minister had gone on recod that his government is considering a three year ban on transgenic crops grown for commercial use. The United States, the world's biggest producers of genetically modified foods, has also threatened New Zealand to ban his genetically engineered foods.

In Europe, the boom in the stock market for biotech products also is in wane. British Biotech, Europe's Flagship Biotechnology Company has lost its share value by more than fifty percent. However, it is general opinion that in solving the global problems of hunger and food shortages biotechnology cannot make food cheaper at any cost.

It is true that cotton pests, especially American bollworm has become resistant to certain pesticides. Moreover, several pests have developed immunity against the Bt gene (Bacillus thuringiensis gene, see Biological Control of Plant Pathogens, Pests and Weeds). If the cotton bollworm too develops resistance against the Bt-cotton, it will force a still large number of farmers to commit suicide as happened in Andhra Pradesh in 1998.