Red Biotechnology
Red biotechnology(Bio-pharmaceutical) is a process that utilizes organisms to improve health care and help the body to fight diseases. It is a branch of modern biotechnology which is utilized in the field of medicine. It is not only limited to the pharmaceutical industry but also to the medical sector as it facilitates the alleviation of human suffering and enhances the quality of life.
It is through red biotechnology based research that antibiotics for different infections and vaccines for boosting the immune system against disease have been developed ways along with means to detect and treat many genetic disorders and dis- eases. Biotechnology advances have led to developments in gene therapy, which has the potential to treat the cause of the disease rather than the symptoms. Red biotechnology also helps in reproductive technologies like in-vitro fertilization, DNA profiling, forensics and in transplantation technology.
-Manpreet Kaur (India)
Red Biotechnology Applications in Pharmaceutical Uses:
Creating bio-pharmaceuticals or “red" biotechnology applications is a long and expensive process that occurs in order to introduce a new drug into the market.
Some of the bio-pharmaceuticals that are produced through the use of biotechnology include antibodies, nucleic acids, proteins, DNA and RNA. These are all used for in-vivo therapeutic or diagnostic purposes. They are different than other pharmaceuticals because they are developed using methods of biotechnology rather than direct extraction.
The first bio-pharmaceutical that was approved for use is actually insulin. Insulin was created using recombinant technology with DNA. Since the inception of insulin being released and used in the medical community, there have been continuous strides in the field of bio-pharmaceuticals. Most of these are derived from forms of living organisms.
-Divyanshi Arora (India)
PHARMACOGENOMICS is commmonly used to produce drugs using genetically modified species. this is how it is related to Red Biotechnology.
PHARMA - drug or medicine
GENOMICS - the study of genes.
studying response of genetic makeup of an individual to a drug or pharmaceutical products.
USES OF PHARMACOGENOMICS:
It helps in the development of tailor made medicines, ensures more appropriate methods of determining drug dosage, improve process of drug discovery and approval.
Obtaining of better and safe vaccination, decrease in the overall cost of health care ,advanced screening of diseases.
DRUGS PRODUCED BY PHARMOGENOMICS:
Herceptin,
Erbitux,
Tumoricide,
Gleevec.
-Lavina J. (India)
Bacteria are commonly used as host cells for making copies of DNA in the lab because they are easy to grow in large numbers. Their cellular machinery naturally carries out DNA replication and protein synthesis.
-Khushi Saluja (India)
It is a common notion that red biotechnology is restricted to humans only but that is not the reality! it is now benefitting the animals too. It aims for the welfare of human health and animal health also.
It helps in enhancing animal hosts' resistance to diseases and improving the utility, nutritional value, and safety of human food as well as animal feeds and producing improved products for medicinal purpose for animals.
There are several medicines which are in use and have been made with the use of red biotechnology only. Vaccines against ticks and helminths (parasites) are possible using recombinant DNA technology .Using the same technology, recombinant vaccines can be used to treat livestock suffering from viral, mycoplasma l and bacterial diseases. These vaccines provide more than just absolute protection , they are more stable and specific.
Moreover,the utility of this technology in such a way was a blessing for humans only but now its a boon for animals too. This method and technology should be encouraged as no harm is caused to the welfare of animals!
-Mansi Gupta (India)
ARTIFICIAL ORGANS
In order to combat various shortcomings like birth defects, injuries or damaged organs, it is possible today to create artificial human organs to provide life support to the patients.
The most significant ones include artificial heart and lungs, for providing immediate life support while awaiting a transplant. This can prevent imminent death. Also exist artificial limbs, improving the patient's ability for self care, and even various sense organs like eyes and ears for the visually and hearing impaired to witness the world.
-Tanmay (India)
GENETIC ENGINEERING
Genetic engineering is the modification of the genetic information of living organisms by manipulation of DNA i.e by adding ,removing ,or repairing part of the organism it is also known as gene manipulation or recombinant DNA technology (r-DNA technology).
Now lets see about merits of genetic engineering.
+understanding the gene structure and function through basic research.
+production of large quantities of human insulin, interferons (anti - viral proteins produced by virus infected cells),human growth hormone and vaccines for foot and mouth disease of cattle.
+this technique is also employed in the transfer of genes involved in nitrogen fixation (Nif - gens )this will help cultivators to increase productivity.
-Nikhitha S. (India)