Summary

An objective, thorough, and accessible introduction to biotechnology.Biotechnology will have an increasingly profound impact on human health, agriculture, the environment, and society itself. "Understanding Biotechnology" offers an introduction to biotechnology that is balanced, accurate, current, thorough, and accessible to both non-specialists and professionals. The authors begin with a brief history of biotechnology and an introduction to the underlying principles of genetic engineering. Next, they review every key area of biotechnology research, thoroughly addressing both technical practice and implications--including biosafety and ethical issues. Understanding Biotechnology presents careful and complete introductions to cloning, gene therapy, pharmacogenomics, molecular markers, forensic DNA, bioremediation, and biodiversity, as well as a full chapter on the risks of bioterrorism. It also includes an extensive glossary and detailed references for further study.

Author Biography

Aluízio Borém is an agronomist, faculty member at the Federal University of Vicosa in Brazil, and a member of the Brazilian Biosafety Committee.

Fabrício R. Santos, biologist and faculty member at the Federal University of Minas Gerais (Brazil), currently researches the molecular evolution of humans.

David E. Bowen is pursuing a Ph.D. at the University of Idaho, where he is researching nutritional improvements in wheat.

Foreword.
Preface.
1. History: From Biology to Biotechnology.

Advent of Biotechnology. Biotechnology Prior to the 21st Century. Production of Proteins. Human Genome Project. Concerns of the Sequencing Project.

2. Genetic Engineering.

Central Dogma. Gene Structure. Viruses. Gene Manipulation. General Steps. Engineering Genes.

3. Transformation.

Principles of Genetic Transformation. Methods of Genetic Transformation. Agrobacterium Mediated Transformation. Microparticle Bombardment. Microinjection. Direct Transformation. Bottlenecks in Transformation. Genetic Engineering Products. Potential of Transformation. Addition of New Functions. Gene Expression. Transgenic Locus.

4. Biotechnological Products.

Economic Aspects. Transgenic Animals. Transgenic Animals as a Source of Organs and Tissue. Transgenics in Agriculture. Varieties Resistant to Herbicides. Crop Varieties Resistant to Insects. Plant Varieties for the Production of Bioplastics. Plants and Animals as Bioreactors. Final Considerations.

5. Biosafety.

U.S. Regulatory Agencies. Biosafety in Other Countries. Biotechnology in Agriculture. Transgenic Varieties. Transgenic Animals. Concerns About Biotechnology. Food Safety. Environmental Safety.

6. Cloning.

Technical Hurdles in Cloning. Therapeutic Cloning. Human Clones. Scientific Reasons for Not Cloning Humans.

7. Gene Therapy.

Genetic Defects. Vectors for Gene Delivery. Gene Therapy Risks. DNA Vaccines. Germ-Line Cell Therapy. Stem Cell Therapy. Final Considerations.

8. Pharmacogenomics.

Pharmaceuticals and Side Effects. Pharmaceuticals and Genomes. Hope for Cures.

9. Molecular Markers.

DNA Fingerprinting. RFLP. Obtaining RFLPs. PCR. Markers Detected by PCR.

10. Forensic DNA.

DNA Analysis. Obtaining a DNA Profile. An Example. Databases. Reliability of DNA Tests. Analysis of Mitochondrial DNA. Paternity Tests. Accuracy of the Tests. Genomic Pictures. Final Considerations.

11. Bioremediation.

Depolluting Organisms. Microorganisms. Degradation of Radioactive Compounds. Depolluting Plants. Final Considerations.

12. Biodiversity.

Preservation of Biodiversity. Genetic Erosion. Gene Banks. Biopiracy. Final Considerations.

13. Bioterrorism.

Human Pathogens of Potential Use in Bioterrorism. Anthrax. Smallpox. Cholera. Salmonella. Botulism. Poliomyelitis. Ebola. Toxins. Botulism. Ricin. Trichothecenes. Staphylococcal Enterotoxin. Saxitoxin. Biodefenses. Recombinant Vaccines. Edible Vaccines. Agroterrorism. Recommendations. Final Considerations.

14. Bioethics.

Ethics and Genetic Engineering. Genetic Privacy. Patent of Genes. Human “Races” . Trading Human Life. Human Cloning. Stem Cells. Eugenics. Biotechnology and Christian Faith. Human Genome and Religious Considerations. Case Studies. Case 1. Case 2. Final Considerations.

Glossary.
References.
Index.
About the Authors.

Supplemental Materials

What is included with this book?

The New copy of this book will include any supplemental materials advertised. Please check the title of the book to determine if it should include any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.

The Used, Rental and eBook copies of this book are not guaranteed to include any supplemental materials. Typically, only the book itself is included. This is true even if the title states it includes any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.

Excerpts

Preface Looking back on the last few years, it is difficult to imagine life without biotechnology.Biotechnology is everywhere you look, from food in the grocery store, to routine medical treatmentsin the hospital. February 12, 2001 became an important date in human history. Beginning on thatdate, anyone with access to the Internet could look at a new atlas that contains the entire humangenome. Biotechnology is transforming everything we know, believe, expect, and practice in modernsociety. Did you know that IBM's largest current project, called Blue Gene, is devoted to genomesequencing and involves a machine that can perform 1 quadrillion calculations per second? Or thatSun Microsystems' largest project is deciphering a protein? Or that Monsanto and Pioneer/DuPontsell almost 80 percent of the world's seed corn? Or that 100 whole animals have already beenpatented? Biotechnology is expanding well beyond the walls of the laboratory. Its influence hasreached the stock market and provided jobs for millions worldwide. Researchers at a Worcester, Massachusetts, biotechnology company, Advanced Cell Technology, succeeded in creating the world'sfirst cloned human embryos. This and other controversial applications of biotechnology have createdmany questions and few answers. Geneticists, ethicists, and theologians working together need toreach a balanced view on many highly controversial topics ranging from embryonic stem cell researchto ownership of genes. Biotechnology is part of human life, from big cities to small farmcommunities. This is especially evident in the agricultural industry. The global area of transgeniccrops planted in 2001 was 130 million acres, representing 5.5 million farmers worldwide. This ispart of a growing trend that has seen the area planted with transgenic crops increase 19 percentfrom 2000 to 2001. This indicates a clear need for all to become informed about this growing areaof science. Understanding Biotechnologyaddresses the background and applications of biotechnologyin the many aspects of today's society. We include essential details important for a scientificbook, while maintaining an understandable level for most readers. As with highly polarized topicssuch as biotechnology, balanced arguments are difficult to find and evaluate. UnderstandingBiotechnologyoffers readers an opportunity to understand this revolutionary science and the issuessurrounding its role in today's society, allowing you to develop informed opinions aboutbiotechnology.