BIOTECHNOLOGY And It's APPLICATION NOTES

Biotechnology involves the use of living organisms, cells, or their components to develop useful products and processes for human welfare. This chapter focuses on how modern biotechnology is applied in medicine, agriculture, and industry.

In medical applications, biotechnology has led to the production of recombinant drugs like insulin, vaccines, and gene therapy for treating genetic disorders. Techniques like PCR help in early disease diagnosis.

In agriculture, genetically modified (GM) crops such as Bt cotton are developed for pest resistance, improved yield, and reduced pesticide use. Biotechnology also helps in creating crops with better nutritional value.

In industry, microbes are used to produce products like enzymes, antibiotics, and biofuels on a large scale.

The chapter also highlights ethical issues and biosafety, including concerns about genetically modified organisms (GMOs), biopatents, and biopiracy, and the importance of regulating biotechnology for safe use.