Biotechnology is basically technology that is based on biology and areas related to biology. Many experts and researchers use the term, biotechnology when referring to modern genetic engineering. Until advancements in DNA and such fields biotechnology was mainly used to describe agricultural and food related technology. Some of the many factors of biotechnology include: biology, genetics, chemical engineering and robotics to name a few. Many current projects and research topics are currently being studied, the world can benefit greatly from advancements in biotechnology.

Stem cells are found in multi-cellular organisms. They are able to make themselves into specialized cells. The two types of stem cells are embryonic stem cells, which are found in blastocysts and adult stem cells which are found in the tissue of grown organisms. When an organism is developing, stem cells can be used to make any type of tissue. In adult organisms, stem cells help repair damages tissue.

Stem cells can be grown to make any type of tissue the body may need. The problem is in order to be able to use stem cells, a human embryo must be destroyed to get the cells needed. Many ethical debates have taken place in regards to stem cell research, some people believe human embryos are alive and they should be treated at people. Although other methods of using stem cells that don’t need to be taken from human embryos are being researched, the debate rages on. Others think the outcome of stem cells would benefit medical uses greatly. A law is in effect that forbids federal funding for stem cell research.

Stem cells are used in treatments for diseases such as leukemia, bone marrow transplants help leukemia patients. Researchers hope that advancements in stem cell research can be made, so diseases such as: cancer, Parkinson’s, along with countless other conditions and diseases will be a thing of the past. Below is an illustration of embryonic mouse stem cells that are highlighted.

The Human Genome Project, also known as HGP is a world wide project. Many different peoples have one common goal, that goal is to understand everything possible about a human’s genetic make up. They are determined to identify all human genes and DNA base pairs. The project was established in 1990 by James Watson. Researchers and those associated with the project believe this is a very important step in finding cures and making medical advances. This project was made possibly by funding and support from the U.S. and the U.K.

The results from the HGP will not only greatly benefit medicine and biotechnology, it will help in curing many diseases such as, cancer, liver disease, Alzheimer’s. Etc. Along with all of the medicinal uses, the Human Genome Project will open many doors to new discoveries. Evolutionary questions are being asked in terms on molecular biology. Some believe the HGP will be an evolutionary milestone, such as ribosomes and organelles. Illustrated below is human chromosome 3 from a human genetic map.

The human HapMap project, or International HapMap project is a group which is determined to make a map of the human genome. This discovery would be able to see different patterns of genetic variation in humans. The project is supported and funded by private academies and agencies along with countries such as China, Canada, America, and England. The purpose of the project is for scientists and researchers to be able to use it as a resource for determining genes that affect health, environment factors and responses to drugs.

It’s known that many common diseases occur due to environment and gene combinations. The project was slated to take 3 years and in October of 2007 all of the data was released. The information provided by the HapMap project is free to all researchers and can be found on the website www.hapmap.org .

Gene therapy is used to treat diseases. Genes are inserted into a patients cells and tissues. For hereditary diseased the mutant alleles are replaced with normal, functioning ones. Although it is still recent and new, gene therapy has showed success and seems to be working great. There are also different variations of the process.

The first gene therapy was done on a little girl named Ashanthi DeSilva. She had a rare disease that made her highly susceptible to disease. She was often confined to her own home and avoided contact with others outside the family. Her immune system was so bad that a common cold took large amounts of antibiotics to treat. Gene therapy was used, her white blood cells were taken to a lab and the proper gene was inserted. The white blood cells entered her bloodstream and that strengthened her immune system by 40%.

What happens is a mutated gene or defective gene is replaced in the genome by a normal one. Scientists use a carrier called a vector to deliver the normal gene where it’s needed. Scientists have been able to use viruses to transfer the needed gene. Whatever organ needs the vector, is targeted by the vector. There are many different types of virus vectors. As it is with many scientific treatments, there are ethical issues with gene therapy. There is also the fact that whenever a foreign object enters the body, the body’s natural response is to attack the intruder.

In the science world it is know that pharmaceutical manufacturing relies heavily upon biotechnology. Back in the day, insulin from the pancreas of pigs was used in human who had diabetes, but due to the lack of pigs to do this scientists used recombinant DNA technology to make E. Coli produce insulin, this is an early instance of using biotechnology is pharmaceuticals. Another example is the need for human growth hormones. They were originally obtained from the pituitary glands of dead people, but that proved to be ineffective because so much was needed, so recombinant DNA allowed E. Coli to produce the human growth hormones. So, the use of biotechnology in pharmaceuticals has and will continue to greatly benefit humans.

Forensics are the uses of sciences concerning the law and crime scenes. People who use forensics use DNA samples and other things associated at the scene of a crime to find out who the criminal was. Forensics use many different samples and factors to determine crimes, things such as soil samples, DNA, hair samples, drugs, poisons, finger prints, surrounding organisms in the crime scene and many, many other things. Most samples are taken to a lab and examined thoroughly using many different techniques. Some forensic techniques that have been used by groups such as the FBI have been discontinued due to lack of evidence proving their credibility.

Cancer can affect almost every part of the body. Cancer is diagnosed when rogue cells grow and divide out of control. They develop into a tissue mass called a tumor. Some tumors can become metastatic, meaning it can move to other parts of the body and infect those as well. Benign tumors are non cancerous and stay in one spot, although they can become malignant. Malignant tumors are cancerous. Cancer can affect an array of different organisms. Cancer accounts for 13% of deaths around the world. Anybody of any race or age can get cancer, although the risk increases with age. Scientists believe the risk for cancer has always been high, but earlier people had shorter life spans, so cancer did not show up too often.

Cancer develops due to many different factors, carcinogens (cancer causing agents in the environment), radiation, and cigarette smoke (as well as second hand smoke that has carcinogens). Cancer can also develop from environmental factors. Symptoms of cancer can include, cough, tumor, bleeding, headaches, and other symptoms associated with the common cold. Cancer is usually recognized through screenings, but is not diagnosed this way. If some is thought to have cancer many medical test are used to determine the type and severity, this includes blood tests, x-rays and biopsies.

Treatment of cancer is difficult. Depending on when the cancer is detected surgery and treatment can be tough. Cancer can sometimes be removed completely through surgery, other times chemotherapy and other methods including antibiotics are used to rid the body of the invasive cells. Chemotherapy is one treatment that is often used, but it has some serious side effects. Patients who use chemotherapy are likely to have permanent damage to tissue and other parts of the body.

A cure for cancer is needed just as much as a cure for AIDS. Although an actual cure for cancer may never come to be because cancer affects various parts of the body, cures or treatments for different types may soon come to light. Cancer has a big emotional factor on people who have suffered from the disease or have family who has had the disease. Support groups are offered to people who have dealt with cancer. Below is a picture of lung cancer in an x-ray, which is caused by a series of mutations.