Last Name 1

What is Biotechnology?

1. Search for several definitions of “biotechnology” from different sources on the Internet. List

the various definitions and then give one definition that you think is representative of most of the

others of biotechnology. (3 points)

Biotechnology is the utilization of organisms and biological processes for a variety of purposes

pertaining to such fields as genetic manipulation, with applications in both agricultural and

industrial settings resulting in technological benefits and creating novel solutions to long-

standing problems.

2. Write two paragraphs about a recent (past 5 years) technology or technique that is utilized in

microbial biotechnology, agricultural biotechnology, animal biotechnology, forensic

biotechnology, bioremediation, aquatic biotechnology, or medical biotechnology. (4 points)

Within the past 5 years, we have seen innovations such as the first Human-Pig Hybrid. Although

a figure associated with mythological fiction, Juan Carlos Izpisua Belmonte and a team of

researchers at the Salk Institute’s Gene Expression Laboratory were able to create the first pig-

human chimera. The goal is to utilize these chimeras as a source for human organs. Most of the

cells of the chimera are animal cells with human stem cells being injected into embryos. The

internal similarities in terms of organs are what led researchers to attempt to create the pig-

human chimera.

Scientists have tried to use different animals such as cows but found more success with pigs. One

of the main challenges is that pig embryos see the human cells that are injected as a threat

making the process of constructing a chimera difficult. There are serious ethical concerns from a
 Last Name 2

multitude of organizations about the ethics of creating chimeras, as it raises serious issues if

these chimeras could become sentient in a manner similar to humans.

3. For the types of techniques or technologies outlined in question 2, what companies are

supporting this kind of research? What other technologies are they working on? If they are not,

can you find a related type of technology and discuss it? (two paragraphs) (4 points)

The funding for the chimera projects is coming from government institutes around the world.

The Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development and the National Institutes of Health.

Have both provided funding for the project. The NIH funds a wide range of projects. One of the

NIH’s major projects being funded now is the Biomedical Translator Program, a new technology

to be able to sift through large data sources.

The Japan Agency for Medical Research is currently involved in funding regenerative medicine

research. Through their investment, they seek to tackle multiple ranges of disorders such as

Parkinson’s disorder or liver disease using stem cell treatments. They are currently working with

the Medical Research Council which is based in the UK. Through their funding of regenerative

medicine research, AMED seeks to develop technology to be able to restore the human body of

people afflicted with a multitude of disorders.

4. In your opinion, what is the ethics of altering the genes of animals used for research? (two to

three paragraphs). (4 points)

Through new emerging technologies we are entering uncharted territory. Through tools such as

CRISPR, we are seeing gene-editing coming to the forefront raising a series of ethical questions

regarding both the possible implications of gene editing humans and other animals. Although
 Last Name 3

some projects are noble in intent such as the production of chimera to be able to produce human

organs for transplants, the series of ethical implications are quite high. It is unclear how much

human DNA would need to be injected into animal embryos to produce the results scientists are

looking for.

The amount of human DNA that would be utilized could have unforeseen consequences, we may

gain witness to animals with a level of sentience similar to humans. We have ventured out of

mythological fiction into the real-world application of dangerous technology. The editing of

human DNA is another controversial topic. Although at first, we may be looking to eliminate

genetic abnormalities that might hinder a newborn’s life the possible implications of editing the

human genome are far-reaching and quite frankly disturbing.

From an ethical standpoint, I believe it is immoral to alter the genes of animals for research.

Scientists do not know the long-term consequences of splicing human DNA with that of animals

for example and altering the genes of humans may lead to some very disturbing consequences.

With the emergence of the right gene-editing technology, what will stop those with the funds

necessary to create physically stronger and intellectually more gifted children? How will humans

who have not undergone gene editing compete with those that have? These are a few ethical

dilemmas that we may come to face in the coming century.