We use science in our daily life every moment from time to time. We use electricity, computers, refrigerators, etc. These machines that make our life so much easier are all invented using science and scientific theories.
Biotechnology was invented several thousand years ago when people discovered the use of yeast and bacteria in making bread, curd, and even turning wine into vinegar. The art of fermentation is also rooted in biotechnology.
How exactly did biotechnology help the human race extend life?
The answer lies in the 20th and 21st-century discoveries, for example, the discovery of penicillin by Sir Alexander Fleming and how it helped save the lives of soldiers during World War 1.
On the other hand, the same technology also helped to further develop technology to produce glycerin for making explosives. Biotechnology when applied to use can be rewarding as well as destructive
Biotechnology leaped in bounds when the study of genetics was discovered. When applied in real life the genes and traits led to new ideas and studies. Science got a new direction and the outflow of knowledge led to the discoveries of diseases and their mechanisms.This led to the discoveries and inventions of drugs, gene therapies, and targeted delivery systems of drugs.
Not only in the field of health but biotechnology also helped in the field of agriculture. From making new hybrid seeds that were resistant to droughts and pests, agricultural biotechnology also reduced the need for chemical fertilizers and increased the use of organic fertilizers. This also helped humans to decrease the intake of harmful chemicals. The capacity of the plants to yield new crops also increased. The mixing of biotechnology and agriculture brought about a green revolution across the world, especially in third-world countries.
Biotechnology and the science of genetics also helped us understand the role of heredity and the structure & function of DNA. This gave scientists new ideas to improve our health. The production of Insulin, enzymes, interferons, antibiotics, and other proteins for deficiencies found in the human population, increased the life span of humans. Genetic engineering not only helped scientists but also industrialists, it helped capital from companies to flow into the scientific community, which in turn motivated the community to make discoveries and then market them to the masses.
Approximately, there are more than 500 pharmaceutical companies in the world trying to find new ways to improve the health and well-being of all living beings on this planet. Currently, the open market has about 1000 genetically altered products and medicines. This is also called a Gene revolution.
This can also help the human populations fight the new pandemic like multi-drug-resistant pathogens, cancer, and AIDS, and make vaccines against covid19, new variants, and so on.
Although biotechnology has made our lives quite easy and fruitful but the danger of its misuse still remains, such as the threat of bio-terrorism, where some labs are researching the use of microorganisms that can be used as a bio-weapon. It depends on the individuals on how they use the boon of science like biotechnology, for the destruction of lives or its betterment
References:
Verma AS, Agrahari S, Rastogi S, Singh A. Biotechnology in the realm of history. J Pharm Bioallied Sci. 2011 Jul;3(3):321-3. doi: 10.4103/0975-7406.84430. PMID: 21966150; PMCID: PMC3178936.
https://www.lonestar.edu/history-of-biotechnology.htm
