Biotechnology Is The Use Of A Living Thing Or Its Part

Biotechnology is 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 one 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 chosen topic and answer the following five questions:

1. Explain how the process you have chosen meets the definition of biotechnology.

2. Describe how the process is performed.

3. Explain the uses of the application.

4. Discuss at least one benefit, one drawback, and one risk of the process you have chosen.

5. Elaborate on an ethical concern of the application, such as what to do with leftover embryos in in vitro fertilization, if applicable.

Use at least two credible sources to support your arguments, citing them appropriately within the paper and listing them in APA format on the References page. The report should include an abstract, title, and references page, be double-spaced, and contain a running head and page numbers. The length should be 2–3 pages, excluding the title page, abstract, and references.

Paper For Above instruction

Biotechnology has revolutionized the way humans interact with biological processes, providing revolutionary tools for medicine, agriculture, and environmental management. Among the numerous applications of biotechnology, gene therapy stands out as a transformative approach for treating genetic disorders. This paper explores how gene therapy exemplifies biotechnology, its procedures, uses, benefits, drawbacks, risks, and ethical concerns.

Gene therapy is a quintessential example of biotechnology because it involves altering the genetic material of living cells to treat or prevent disease. According to Roberts (2018), biotechnology encompasses techniques that manipulate living organisms or parts thereof to develop products that benefit humans. In gene therapy, this manipulation involves inserting, altering, or removing genes within a patient's cells to address defective genes responsible for illness. Thus, it exemplifies the core principles of biotechnology because it employs living cells and genetic engineering to produce therapeutic benefits.

The process of gene therapy involves several intricate steps. Typically, it begins with identifying a defective gene responsible for a disease. A functional copy of this gene is then inserted into a vector—most commonly a virus that has been genetically deactivated to ensure safety. This vector delivers the healthy gene into the patient's target cells, often through injection or infusion (Naldini, 2015). Once inside, the new gene integrates into the cell's DNA, enabling it to produce the necessary proteins to cure or mitigate the disease. Different forms of gene therapy include in vivo (direct introduction into the body) and ex vivo (cells are modified outside the body and then reintroduced). Each step requires meticulous control to ensure safety and effectiveness.

Gene therapy has various applications, primarily in treating genetic disorders such as cystic fibrosis, hemophilia, certain cancers, and inherited blindness. It also holds promise for regenerative medicine, including tissue repair and combating infectious diseases. According to Ginn et al. (2018), the versatility of gene therapy allows it to target the root cause of many diseases at the genetic level, offering potential cures where conventional treatments focus only on managing symptoms.

Several benefits make gene therapy a promising medical innovation. It offers the potential for permanent cures for previously untreatable genetic conditions, reduces the need for lifelong medication, and can improve patients' quality of life significantly. However, drawbacks include high costs, limited availability, and the fact that the long-term effects are not yet fully understood. Risks involve unintended genetic changes possibly leading to new health issues, immune reactions against vectors, or insertional mutagenesis causing cancer (Hacein-Bey-Abina et al., 2003). These risks underline the importance of careful monitoring and regulation of gene therapy applications.

An important ethical concern associated with gene therapy relates to the modification of germline cells—the reproductive cells. Changes to these cells can be inherited by future generations, raising questions about consent and potential unintended consequences. For example, germline editing is controversial because it could be misused for enhancement purposes rather than therapeutic needs (Lanphier et al., 2015). Ethical debates also extend to issues of accessibility, equity, and the possibility of creating "genetic enhancements," which could exacerbate social inequalities.

In conclusion, gene therapy exemplifies the essence of biotechnology through its manipulation of genetic material to treat disease, offering remarkable benefits while posing significant ethical, safety, and societal challenges. As this field advances, responsible development, thorough regulation, and ongoing ethical discussions are essential to maximize its benefits and minimize risks.

References

• Ginn, S. L., Amaya, A. K., Alexander, I. E., Edelstein, M. V., & Babon, J. J. (2018). Gene therapy: Applications, challenges and future perspectives. Cell & Gene Therapy Insights, 4(8), 1-17.
• Hacein-Bey-Abina, S., et al. (2003). Insertional oncogenesis in 4 patients after retroviral gene therapy of SCID-X1. The Journal of Clinical Investigation, 113(10), 1255–1261.
• Lanphier, E., et al. (2015). Don’t edit the human germ line. Nature, 519(7544), 410–411.
• Naldini, L. (2015). Gene therapy returns to centre stage. Nature, 526(7573), 351-360.
• Roberts, R. J. (2018). Molecular biotechnology: Principles and applications. Pearson.