Week 6 | BioTech + Art | Blog Assignment


Biotechnology uses the convergence of art, science and technology allowing scientists to create inventions that are extremely helpful to study. These new creations, which were previously unobtainable, allow scientists to see things that they never thought possible, generating new solutions and discoveries. A basic invention in everyday life that biotechnology has made possible is pest resistant crops. Genetically modifying these plants allows for them to resist pests on their own naturally, rather than having to constantly spray them with pesticides, which is also terrible for the environment (How is Biotechnology, n.d.).

On the left are plants vulnerable to pesticides, on the right are the
plants that are pest resistant crops. 
(Endogenous Chemical Balance, 2018).

As seen in this week's lecture video, biotechnology is also being used to inject GFP into animals. This injection makes the animals glow green as a way to see their insides and attach to proteins without having to perform invasive surgeries (Green Fluorescent, 2014). Most famously known for this, the GFP glowing bunny was created to show what biotechnology can do with the combination of science and art, but has faced many animal rights backlash (Young, 2000). Transgenic rats have other animals' DNA injected into them, like the DNA from a fluorescent jellyfish for example to be studied and examined. Rats are chosen so often as laboratory experiment animals because of their distinct similarities to humans, so if something can be solved on them, it can most likely be solved in a similar way with us (How did Matilda,. n.d.).

How transgenic rats and GFP allow us to see specific
proteins within the rat to locate internal issues. 
(Discover NIS, n.d.).

Lastly, biotechnology is being used in healthcare with roles of creating new medicines with less side effects, newer and safer vaccines and pharmacogenomics. Biotechnology is helping to create new vaccines while ensuring the safety of it before being given to humans, with new approaches and development techniques.

Scientists in biotechnology lab working on 
Covid-19 vaccine.
(Dance, 2020).

Works Cited 

    Discover NIS. (n.d.). Imanis Life Sciences. https://imanislife.com/learning-resources/reporter-genes/discover-nis-sodium-iodide-symporter/


    Dance, A. (2020). Coronavirus vaccines get a biotech boost. Nature. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-02154-2


    Endogenous Chemical Balance Sheds New Light on Breeding of Pest-Resistant Crops. (2018). SDGS at ZJU. https://www.zju.edu.cn/english/2018/0514/c65146a811107/page.htm


    Green Fluorescent Protein. (2014). The Embryo Project Encyclopedia. https://embryo.asu.edu/pages/green-fluorescent-protein


    How did Matilda, Tara and Star Barbie become Transgenic Rats? (n.d.). Embracing Animal. http://www.embracinganimal.com/transrats.html

    

How is Biotechnology Used in Everyday Life?. (n.d.). Aimst University. https://www.aimst.edu.my/event-news/how-biotechnology-used-everyday-life/

   

 The Role of Biotechnology in the Development of Vaccines. (n.d.). Indonesia International Institute for Life Sciences. https://i3l.ac.id/the-role-of-biotechnology-in-the-development-of-vaccines/

   

 Young, E. (2000). Mutant Bunny. New Scientist. https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn16-mutant-bunny/



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