Mr P Mulholland St Joseph’s High School Crossmaglen Biotechnology Mr P Mulholland St Joseph’s High School Crossmaglen

Genetic Engineering in Relation to Woods Developments in technology have given rise to a whole new culture of genetically modified foods, plants, materials and animals. Biotechnology is now at the forefront in the production of new materials and research and experimentation into genetically engineered and modified timber is growing rapidly. Genes are being investigated to see if trees can be grown quicker. This would allow forests to be managed more efficiently. Newly planted trees would reach maturity quickly and more timber would be yielded as a result. Investigations are also taking place as to how wood can be engineered to be more resistant to wear, rot and animal infestation.

Genetic Engineering in Relation to Woods What are the implications of timber not rotting? If timber had not decayed or decomposed millions of years ago we would have no coal or oil today. If timber does not decompose it would have to be burnt to be disposed of. The consequences of this is that the emissions from burning the timber would damage the ozone layer and cause acid rain.

Genetic Engineering in Relation to Woods Advantages Helps trees to resist disease Trees with increased growth Better forest management Reduces deforestation Disadvantages Long term side effect still not fully known Modified genes can escape from controlled into natural ecosystems Rapid growth causes shorter more intensive growing cycles

Biodegradable Polymers These are materials that derive from renewable raw materials that will decompose in the natural environment. Micro organisms break down the molecular structure of the material that is less harmful to the environment.

Biodegradable Polymers Scientists discovered that a natural polymer produced from food stuffs could be mass produced by fermentation. Once the polymer had been extracted it was substituted into the production process to produce plastic products. The major advantage of the plastic was that once it had reached the end of its life cycle it could be disposed of by biodegradation. “Green” credit cards made from biopol have started to find their way into the market place as a genuine replacement for some of the 20 million credit cards in circulation.

Environmentally friendly A plastic is basically any material that can be heated and moulded to retain its shape once it cools. Today a wide variety of plastics exist as polymers and resins. Synthetic plastics are derived from oil and hydro-carbons form the building blocks. One disadvantage of plastics generally has been the issue of how they have been disposed of. Recent advances in biotechnology have seen the development of environmentally friendly plastics. It was 60 years ago that saw the development of the first biodegradable polymer, Biopol. Biopol has the advantages of synthetic polymers and those of natural polymers. It is biodegradable, can be produced in bulk and the raw materials are readily available.