Biotechnology and its

Applications
Agro- Chemical Based Agriculture-Use of chemical products in agriculture
Agrochemical, Any chemical used in agriculture, including chemical fertilizers, 
herbicides, and insecticides. 
Organic farming, agricultural system that uses ecologically based pest controls and
biological fertilizers derived largely from animal and plant wastes and nitrogen-
fixing cover crops.
Genetically modified crops (GM crops) are plants used in agriculture, the DNA of
which has been modified using genetic engineering methods.
Tailor made means, growing plants for a specific
purpose such as high yield, disease resistant etc. Using
biotechnological methods, the genetic modification has
been done in plants to create tailor-made plants to
supply alternative resources to industries, in the form
of starches, fuels and pharmaceuticals
Pest Resistant Crops-crops which could decrease the
amount of pesticide used
Transposable element

A transposable element is a DNA sequence that can change its position within a genome,
sometimes creating or reversing mutations and altering the cell's genetic identity and genome
size. Transposition often results in duplication of the same genetic material.
Steps in RNAi- RNA interference
1.There is a gene which is produced in nematodes that is transcribed and
then translated into proteins which are essential for the growth of the
nematode.
2. Scientist isolated this gens and introduced into the tobacco plant.
3. Undergoes transcription and produce double stranded RNA [dsRNA] in the
plant .
4. When the nematode enter into the tobacco plant and produce the gene
which undergoes transcription and produce mRNA.
5. When the mRNA is formed the dsRNA being complementary to mRNA
attaches to mRNA and prevents from translation.
6. So no proteins are formed and the nematode cannot survive.
That is the mRNA is being silenced or interfered
Insulin used for diabetes was earlier extracted from pancreas of
slaughtered cattle and pigs.
Drawbacks
Some patients developed allergy or other type of reaction to the
foreign protein
Killing of animals
The function of the adenosine deaminase enzyme is to eliminate a
molecule called deoxyadenosine, which is generated when DNA is
broken down. Adenosine deaminase converts deoxyadenosine,
which is toxic to lymphocytes, to another molecule called
deoxyinosine, which is not harmful.
Adenosine deaminase (ADA) deficiency is an inherited disorder
that damages the immune system and causes severe combined
immunodeficiency (SCID). People with SCID lack virtually all
immune protection from bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
Molecular Diagnosis
Effective treatment of a diseases- early diagnosis and understanding
pathophysiology is very important
Pathophysiology – a convergence of pathology with physiology – is the study of
the disordered physiological processes that cause, result from, or are otherwise
associated with a disease or injury
The ELISA test involves taking a sample of your blood.
The blood sample will be sent to a laboratory for analysis. In
the lab, a technician will add the sample to a petri dish
containing the specific antigen related to the condition for
which you are being tested. If your blood contains antibodies
to the antigen, the two will bind together. The technician will
check this by adding an enzyme to the petri dish and
observing how your blood and the antigen react.
You may have the condition if the contents of the dish
change color. How much change the enzyme causes allows
the technician to determine the presence and amount of
antibody.
 Genetically modified mice are used extensively in research as models of human
disease. Mice are a useful model for genetic manipulation and research, as their
tissues and organs are similar to that of a human and they carry virtually all the same
genes that operate in humans

Transgenic mice expressing 

A genetically modified mouse in which a gene
green fluorescent protein, which glows green
affecting hair growth has been knocked out
under blue light. The central mouse is 
(left), shown next to a normal lab mouse.
wild-type.
Emphysema is a lung condition that causes shortness of breath.
In people with emphysema, the air sacs in the lungs (alveoli) are
damaged. Over time, the inner walls of the air sacs weaken and
rupture — creating larger air spaces instead of many small ones.
Five sets of ethical concerns have been raised about GM crops:

1. potential harm to human health;

2. potential damage to the environment;
3. negative impact on traditional farming practice;
4. excessive corporate dominance; and the
5. 'unnaturalness' of the technology
Every country has to develop laws to prevent unauthorized exploitation of
bio resources and traditional knowledge If we are not vigilant and we do
not immediately counter these patent applications other countries/
individuals may encash our rich legacy and we may not be able to do
anything about it.
Biopiracy
It is the term used to refer the use of bio resources by multinational
companies and other organizations without proper authorization from the
countries and people concerned without compensatory payment