Biosafety and Biosecurity Issues in Biotechnology Research

Abstract

Biotechnology is broadly defined as the application of scientific and engineering principles to produce valuable substances by deploying biological agents. Here, the biological agents are not only limited to microorganisms but animals and plants are also being used for the purpose. �䀆e substances referred here are renewable materials produced by the biological agents for food, feed, beverages, pharmaceuticals and industrial uses. Today, scientists can isolate any gene of interest from any organism or part thereof and incorporate it into a small self-replicating extrachromosomal genetic element for multiplication as well as expression of the gene. �䀆e recombinant DNA molecule thus produced can be introduced into host cells such as bacteria or yeast to grow large vats or fermenters full of the recombinant organism. �䀆ese have empowered scientists to tailor- make genes and have they expressed in living organism to produce the desirable product (1). Some of the achievements of current biotechnology research include production of life-saving drugs in microorganisms, development of the golden rice and the iron-rich rice, biofertilizers, biopesticides, use of plants and animals as bioreactors for producing enzymes and chemicals for industrial uses, production of biodegradable plastics, biosensors, superbug etc. for tackling some of the environmental problems. �䀆e biotechnological tools and techniques, if properly integrated with other technologies, provide tremendous opportunities for sustainable developments in several areas of human endeavors.