Lesson 7. Biotechnology and Its Applications
This is an interdisciplinary frontier area merging biology, ethics, and current affairs. Fundamental concepts include genetic material (DNA, RNA, genes, chromosomes), recombinant DNA technology, and tools like PCR and gene editing (CRISPR-Cas9). The focus is heavily on applications: in agriculture (Genetically Modified crops – Bt cotton, Bt brinjal, Golden Rice; biofertilizers and biopesticides), in medicine (gene therapy, stem cell therapy, monoclonal antibodies, DNA fingerprinting, vaccine development – mRNA vaccines), and in industry (enzymes in detergents, biofuels). Bioethics, biosafety, and regulatory frameworks in India (GEAC, RCGM) and globally (Cartagena Protocol) are increasingly important. The topic also overlaps with biodiversity (bioprospecting, issues of patenting life forms) and health.
Additional Resources: Follow the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India website for national policies and missions. ISAAA (International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications) provides updates on global status of GM crops. Reputed science journalism in The Hindu’s Sci-Tech section and Science Magazine’s news covers breakthroughs in an accessible manner.