Biotechnology Is The Use Of A Living Thing Or An
Biotechnologybiotechnologyis The Use Of A Living Thing Or Any Part Of
Biotechnology is the use of a living thing or any part of a living thing to make a product or process that improves human life. Choose 1 of the following biotechnology applications: in vitro fertilization, DNA profiling, vaccines, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), or gene therapy. In an APA-formatted report, research the topic that you have chosen and answer the following 5 questions: Explain how the process you have chosen meets the definition of biotechnology. Describe how the process is performed. Explain the uses of the application. Discuss at least 1 benefit, 1 drawback, and 1 risk of the process you have chosen. Elaborate on an ethical concern of the application you have chosen, for example, if you chose in vitro fertilization you might discuss what to do with leftover embryos. Use the following guidelines for your report: Utilize at least 2 credible sources to support the arguments presented in the paper. Make sure you cite them appropriately within your paper, and list the references in APA format on your Reference page. In accordance with APA formatting requirements, your paper should include an Abstract, Title, and Reference page; should be double-spaced; and should include a running head and page numbers. Your paper should be 2–3 pages in length, not counting the Title page, Abstract, and Reference page.
Paper For Above instruction
Abstract
This paper explores DNA profiling as a significant application of biotechnology. It discusses how DNA profiling meets the definition of biotechnology, explains the procedure involved, highlights its uses, and examines its benefits, drawbacks, and risks. Additionally, ethical considerations concerning privacy and consent are addressed, supported by credible sources.
Introduction
Biotechnology involves utilizing living organisms or biological processes to develop products that benefit society. DNA profiling exemplifies this by employing molecular techniques to analyze an individual's genetic material for various purposes. This paper delves into how DNA profiling aligns with biotechnology, its operational methodology, applications, and ethical issues.
How DNA Profiling Meets the Definition of Biotechnology
DNA profiling qualifies as a biotechnology process because it employs living cells and molecular techniques to analyze genetic material, resulting in identifiable DNA patterns. The method leverages biological molecules—DNA—to solve real-world problems such as forensic identification, ancestry tracing, and paternity testing, thus transforming biological components into valuable information.
Process Description
The process of DNA profiling begins with collecting a biological sample, such as blood, hair, or cheek swab. DNA is then extracted from the cells through chemical procedures. The extracted DNA undergoes Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) to amplify specific regions of interest. These regions are then analyzed using gel electrophoresis or capillary electrophoresis, producing unique DNA profiles based on fragment lengths. This sequence comparison allows for individual identification with high accuracy.
Uses of DNA Profiling
DNA profiling is extensively utilized in forensic science for criminal investigations, helping to identify suspects or exonerate the innocent. It also plays a crucial role in paternity tests, immigration cases, and population genetics studies. In medical research, DNA profiling advances personalized medicine by identifying genetic predispositions, contributing to targeted therapies.
Benefits, Drawbacks, and Risks
Benefit
DNA profiling provides highly accurate identification, strengthening legal evidence and assisting in resolving disputes efficiently.
Drawback
One notable drawback is privacy concerns, as genetic information can be misused or disclosed without consent, leading to ethical issues.
Risk
The risk of false matches due to sample contamination or technical error can lead to wrongful convictions or misidentifications.
Ethical Concerns
A primary ethical concern involves privacy and consent. The collection and storage of genetic data raise questions about who has access to this sensitive information and how it might be used beyond intended purposes. There are also concerns regarding potential discrimination based on genetic information, especially in employment or insurance sectors. Addressing these issues requires strict regulations and informed consent protocols to protect individual rights.
Conclusion
DNA profiling exemplifies the capabilities of biotechnology to solve complex problems in criminal justice and medicine. While it offers remarkable benefits, ethical challenges and risks emphasize the need for careful regulation and ethical standards. Future developments should balance technological progress with respect for individual privacy rights.
References
- Kayser, M. (2017). Forensic DNA Phenotyping: Predicting Human Appearance from Crime Scene Material. Forensic Science International, 290, 105–112.
- Luce, K. B. (2015). Criminal Justice and DNA Evidence: The Challenges of Privacy and Ethical Use. Journal of Forensic Sciences, 60(4), 915–921.
- Nielsen, R., et al. (2017). Advances in Genetic Data Analysis for Forensic Science. Annual Review of Genomics and Human Genetics, 18, 419–439.
- National Institute of Justice. (2019). DNA Evidence: Basics of DNA Testing. U.S. Department of Justice. https://nij.ojp.gov/topics/forensics/dna-evidence
- Orlando, T., & Bogdan, T. (2020). Ethical Challenges in DNA Profiling. Bioethics, 34(2), 138–146.