Modern Biotechnology and Its Utilization

MODERN BIOTECHNOLOGY AND ITS UTILIZATION

Biotechnology is the branch of science that studies the use of living things (bacteria, fungi, viruses, etc.) and products of living things (enzymes, alcohol) in the production process to produce goods and services. Today, the development of biotechnology is not only based on biology alone, but also on other applied and pure sciences, such as biochemistry, computers, molecular biology, microbiology, genetics, chemistry, mathematics, and so on. In other words, biotechnology is an applied science that combines various branches of science in the process of producing goods and services. Biotechnology is simply known by humans for thousands of years. For example, in the field of food technology is the manufacture of beer, bread, and cheese that has been known since the 19th century, plant breeding to produce new varieties in agriculture, and animal breeding and reproduction (Prowel, 2010).

In the medical field, the application of biotechnology in the past has been proven, among others, by the discovery of vaccines, antibiotics, and insulin even though it is still in limited quantities due to imperfect fermentation. Significant changes occurred after the discovery of bioreactors by Louis Pasteur. With this tool, the production of antibiotics and vaccines can be done in bulk. At this time, biotechnology is developing very rapidly, especially in developed countries. This progress is marked by the discovery of various kinds of technologies such as genetic engineering, tissue culture, recombinant DNA, stem cell breeding, cloning, and others. This technology allows us to get healing genetic and chronic diseases that can not be cured, such as cancer or AIDS.

Research in the field of stem cell development also allows people with stroke or other diseases that cause loss or damage to body tissues to heal as before. In the field of food, using genetic engineering technology, tissue culture and recombinant DNA, plants with superior properties and products can be produced because they contain more nutrients than ordinary plants, and are also more resistant to pests and environmental stress. The application of biotechnology in this period can also be found in the preservation of the environment from pollution. For example, in the decomposition of petroleum which is shed into the sea by bacteria, and the decomposition of substances that are toxic (poisons) in rivers or the sea by using new types of bacteria.

Progress in the field of biotechnology can not be separated from the various controversies surrounding the development of technology. For example, cloning technology and genetic engineering for food crops have come under fire from various groups (Anonymous, 2011)