The World of Biotechnology
Biotechnology has revolutionized the field of medicine, providing solutions to treat and prevent diseases that were once considered incurable.
One of the most significant applications of biotechnology in medicine is the development of genetically engineered drugs. These drugs are created using recombinant DNA technology, which involves splicing genes from different organisms to produce a protein that can be used as a drug. One example of a genetically engineered drug is insulin, which is used to treat diabetes. Before the development of genetically engineered insulin, insulin was extracted from the pancreas of cows and pigs, which could cause allergic reactions in some patients. Genetically engineered insulin has the same amino acid sequence as human insulin, making it safer and more effective for patients.
Another application of biotechnology in medicine is gene therapy. Gene therapy involves the insertion, deletion, or modification of genes within an individual's cells and tissues to treat or prevent disease. Gene therapy has the potential to cure genetic disorders by replacing or repairing defective genes. For example, in 2017, the FDA approved the first gene therapy for the treatment of cancer. The therapy, called Kymriah, involves removing a patient's T cells, genetically modifying them to target cancer cells, and then infusing them back into the patient's bloodstream.
Additionally, biotechnology has advanced the development of vaccines. Vaccines are created using weakened or dead viruses or bacteria to stimulate the immune system to produce antibodies that can fight off the actual virus or bacteria. Biotechnology has allowed for the creation of vaccines that are safer and more effective than traditional vaccines. For example, the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech uses messenger RNA (mRNA) technology to create a protein that triggers an immune response to the virus.
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