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1.2: Modern Applications to Biotechnology

  • Page ID
    39471
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    Biotechnology: Healing, Fueling, and Feeding the World

    According to the FDA, there are over 19,000 prescription drug products approved for marketing. More than 13.3 million farmers around the world use agricultural biotechnology to increase yields, prevent damage from insects and pests, and reduce farming's impact on the environment. Also, biorefineries are built across North America to test and refine technologies to produce biofuels and chemicals from renewable biomass, which can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Recent advances in biotechnology are helping us prepare for and meet society’s most pressing challenges.

    Heal the World

    https://www.bio.org/healthcare

    Biotech is helping to heal the world by harnessing nature's toolbox and using our genetic makeup to heal and guidelines of research by:

    • Reducing rates of infectious disease;
    • Changing the odds of serious, life-threatening conditions affecting millions around the world;
    • Tailoring treatments to individuals to minimize health risks and side effects;
    • Creating more precise tools for disease detection & combating serious illnesses

    Fuel the World

    www.bio.org/industrial-environment

    Biotech uses biological processes such as fermentation and harnesses biocatalysts such as enzymes, yeast, and other microbes to become microscopic manufacturing plants. Biotech is helping to fuel the world by:

    • Lowering the temperature for cleaning clothes and potentially saving $4.1 billion annually;
    • Reducing the use of and reliance on petrochemicals;
    • Using biofuels to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 52% or more;
    • Decreasing water usage and waste generation; and
    • Tapping into the full potential of traditional biomass waste products.

    Feed the World

    https://www.bio.org/food-agricultural-biotechnology

    Biotech improves crop insect resistance, enhances crop herbicide tolerance, and facilitates the use of more environmentally sustainable farming practices. Biotech is helping to feed the world by:

    • Generating higher crop yields with fewer inputs;
    • Lowering volumes of agricultural chemicals required by crops
    • Using biotech crops that need fewer applications of pesticides
    • Developing crops with enhanced nutrition profiles that solve vitamin and nutrient deficiencies;
    • Producing foods free of allergens and toxins such as mycotoxin; and
    • Improving food and crop oil content to help improve cardiovascular health.

    This page titled 1.2: Modern Applications to Biotechnology is shared under a CC BY license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Jack O'Grady.

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