2. Biotechnology is the application of
scientific techniques to modify and
improve plants, animals, and
microorganisms to enhance their
value.
3. What is Agricultural Biotechnology?
Agricultural biotechnology
is a range of tools,
including traditional
breeding techniques, that
alter living organisms, or
parts of organisms, to
make or modify products;
improve plants or animals;
or develop microorganisms
for specific agricultural
uses.
20. Science is used to improve our
food supply
“And he gave it for his opinion, that whoever
could make two ears of corn, or two blades of
grass, to grow upon a spot of ground where only
one grew before, would deserve better of
mankind, and do more essential service to his
country, than the whole race of politicians put
together. “
Jonathan Swift in Gulliver’s Travels
21. Science is used to improve our
food supply
All food comes from living organisms
Genetics can be used to improve the
plants and animals we eat
Many people are not aware of these
facts
“Ordinary Tomatoes Do Not Contain
Genes, while Genetically Modified Ones
Do”
22. “Ordinary Tomatoes Do Not Contain Genes, while
Genetically Modified Ones Do”
1996 - 1998
40
48
46
51
35
36
32
34
45
52
38
21
24
27
44
20
39
22
45
33
22
31
30
22
21
44
29
44
10
15
0 20 40 60 80 100
United Kingdom
Switzerland
Sweden
Netherlands
Italy
Germany
France
Austria
United States
Canada
Percent Response
False (Correct) Don't Know True
23. We have genetically modified
food for thousands of years
The earliest farmers and gardeners saved seeds of
the very best plants to start the next growing
season
By doing this, they unknowingly selected plants
with the more desirable genes
Assyrian mural from
870 BC showing palm
pollination
33. Major uses of biotechnology
Making maps of plant and animal
chromosomes using technology
developed for the Human Genome
Project
Using our knowledge to add new
genetic information to plants and
animals
34. How is this information
obtained?
Set of techniques that allow us to
"read" genes
40. Genetically Enhanced Plants
The Next Generation
Crop Customer
Focus on improved farming
"Thinking in crops"
Focus on improved processing
"Thinking in applications"
Functionality of
crops
or components
Customer
needs
Source: The Boston Consulting Group; modified
Situation So Far Future Trend
41. Biotech Foods and Health
Enhanced protein and essential
nutrients prevent disease
Vitamin A to prevent childhood
blindness
Increased calories and nutrients to
prevent malnutrition
Increasing food availability by
reducing spoilage
golden rice
44. Food Security
Increasing crop productivity
to meet growing global food
needs
Increasing crop productivity
of staple foods rich in protein
and calories
Increasing access to a
healthy, diverse diet
47. Foods as Medicine Delivery
System
Benefits of food as a Drug Delivery
System
reduced expense
low tech – easy to deliver
reduced spoilage - no refrigeration
Vaccines
Enhanced protein and essential
nutrients prevent disease
48. Other uses of biotech
Over 100 drugs on the market developed with
biotech
Bioremediation
Industrial biotech
Improved enzymes in chemical, textile,
pharmaceutical, metal, and energy industries
Starch and grain processing
Sweeteners
Ethanol
49. Other uses of biotech
Coffee is decaffeinated
by solvent extraction
Concern about safety
and flavor
Engineer to be
decaffeinated
Also can make uniform
ripening
50. Other uses of biotech
Nicotine-free tobacco
Low lignin spruce
trees for paper
production
51. Industrial uses
Cleaning industry
Detergent proteases
Textile industry
Finishing cloth
Better cotton fibers
Paper and pulp industry
Processing with biotech, environmentally
friendly chemicals
