Biotechnology

Jamie M. GraneroRichard E. HayesZhou Xiang HuangDaniel J. OsinskiEmily L. UniackeShimin Zheng

OverviewWhat is biotechnology?Genetic Engineering (G.E.)

Modification/Creation of genes and DNABiological Computers

Interaction and manipulation of cells (similar to electronic computers)

Pros

• Health and quality of life

• Promising future

Cons• Development

and Environment

• Health Issues• Moral and

Ethical Issues

• Better quality of life•Vaccines•Weaker or dormant form of virus used for immunization•Human Insulin•Synthesized from certain bacterium•Agriculture•More pest resistant to decrease use of pesticides•Gene modification

through altercation of DNA•Decreasing or eliminating risk for specific disease

Pro: Health and Quality of LifeRichard Hayes

Emily Uniacke Pro: Promising Future

•G.E. will become essential in food production.

•Potential benefit for future generation

•Experiment in manipulating the mitochondrial DNA unfertilized human embryos proved successful.

•Shoukhrat Mitalipove’s experiment on four monkeys. “Has no side effects.”

•Effectively prevent neuropathy nervous system disorder, manipulating this type of DNA would that effect physical traits, personality, or intelligence

•A UK ethics commission has declare the research ethical

• Biological computers remain as experimental technique

• 1994, Leonard Adleman • Improvement in 2010

• Genetic Engineering threats natural environment• Genetic Modified crops “outcrossing”• Potential to replace non-GM crops• Inevitable

• Zhou Xiang Huang

Con: Development and Environment

•Serious risks•Allergic reaction•Increased toxicity•Too many chemicals used in plants•Pollution on food and water

•Risk of create animal’s organ to replace human’s organ•Genetic Engineering raised concerns

Con: Health IssuesShimin Zheng

Con: Ethical and Moral Issues

• Abuse of technology• Athletes• Parents wanting “perfect”

children• Moral• “Playing God”

• Is is right to change a human being?• Disrupting millions of years of

evolution

• Potential new threats• Possibility that treating one defect

could lead to new ones.

Do you think genetic engineering and biological computers are beneficial to society?

Thank You!