Developed by Mary Gutiérrez Phillips Tulsa Community College NSF/ATE Award #

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 1.What is biotechnology? Bio = life techno = tools ology = the study of

Definition: Biotechnology is the use of living organisms, their products or parts (such as protein, DNA or RNA) to make useful products.

Examples: vaccines, genetically modified foods and animals, pharmaceuticals (drugs) such as insulin and growth hormone.

2.Is Biotechnology a new science? Yes and No… NO. Humans have been breeding crops and domesticating animals for thousands of years! (10,000 C.E. – 4,000 C.E.)

People have been baking bread, making cheese, yogurt and brewing alcoholic beverages. (2000 C.E.)

Yes. Since the discovery of DNA, biotechnology has involved the use and manipulation of DNA, RNA and proteins for the development of genetically modified foods, animals, vaccines and other drugs.

The microscope is discovered. Leeuwenhoek describes protozoa and bacteria.

1797 Edward Jenner inoculates child with smallpox vaccine.

Cell Theory Matthias Schleiden and Theodor Schawnn state: Plants and animals are made up of cells Rudolph Virchow states: cells come from cells.

1863 Gregor Mendel discovers principles of how traits are passed from parents to offspring Charles Darwin writes “The Origin of Species” and proposes the Theory of Evolution Louis Pasteur proposes the “Germ Theory,” pasteurization and discovers the rabies vaccine (1885).

1917 – the first time the word “biotechnology” is used Alexander Fleming discovers the antibiotic penicillin – a mold Avery, MacLeod and McCarty discover DNA is the genetic material –Thomas Hunt Morgan studied fruit flies and proposed that chromosomes carry genes.

James Watson and Francis Crick describe the structure of DNA. In 1962, they win the Nobel Prize.

Adult Stem Cell Research

April 19, 1971

Stanley Cohen and Herbert Boyer Cut and paste bacteria and human genes DNA - Recombinant DNA Science U.S. Department of Energy Human Genome Program,

Word “nanotechnology” is coined by Norio Tanihuchi of Japan Nano - means “dwarf” the prefix nano means a billionth or Tech- tools ology- study of Viruses are biological “nanobots.” They range in size between 20 – 200 nanometers.

Definition: Nanotechology manipulates atoms and molecules whose size range from nanometers. Special microscopes can see very small objects, molecules and atoms.

1981 Transgenic mice. Mice carry human genes that help scientists test how genes work.

Genentech launches commercialization of genetically engineered products.

FDA patent approved to use genetically engineered insulin.

FDA approves the first genetically engineered vaccine -hepatitis B

Project launched to map all of the human chromosomes Genetic Science Learning Center, University of Utah, permission for educational use

Bioinformatics: The use of computers, mathematical analysis and technology to study biological information. Proteomics: The study of how proteins function in the body. New Fields of Study Emerge

FDA approves first genetically modified food substance- a recombinant enzyme called chymosin made from genetically modified yeast. Chymosin is used for making cheese. Rennet (natural) comes from suckling calves stomachs.

November 8, 1993

. FDA approved first genetically modified food. The tomato was resistant to rotting and could ripen on the vine longer.

SOURCES: NCFAP ( USDA NASS ( GE Corn Acreage 2005 USDA NASS 52% of total crop GE Soybean Acreage 2005 USDA NASS 87% of total crop GE Cotton Acreage 2005 USDA NASS 76% of total crop GE Canola Acreage 2002 USDA ERS 75% of total crop GE Squash (yellow straight and crookneck; zucchini) 2003 NCFAP 19% of total crop GE Papaya Acreage 2003 NCFAP 46% of total crop

Hello Dolly The first animal cloned from an adult cell. March 10, 1997

James Thompson Human Embryonic Stem Cells

August 7, 2006 August 20, 2001 August 30, 2004

First cloned cat – CC for “carbon copy”

Human Genome sequence completed. All the human genes are mapped.

GloFish -first genetically modified pet. Just for fun! The zebra fish have a gene from jellyfish or coral that make them glow red, green or yellow.

FDA approves first vaccine against cancer. The vaccine blocks several types of the HPV (human papillomavirus) The virus causes genital warts and causes over 70% of cervical cancer. Permission granted: in/virusworld/virustable.pl?virusdata=hpv%2C+Human+papilloma+virus%2C+1L0T

3.Why is Biotechnology important? Biotech is important for many reasons: U.S. 300,233,107 World 6,557,779,128

1.Health care 2.Food and agricultural needs 3.Clean and safe water resources 4.Alternative fuels Biotech is important for many reasons:

5. Forensics 6. Bioremediation (use of bacteria to clean the environment)

Careers and Education in Biotechnology

START EARLY Education – sciences (biology, chemistry, microbiology, genetics biotechnology), mathematics, business, computers. Talk to teachers, counselors, people in the field, take special workshops, find out about shadowing or internships. Visit your community college!

Genetic testing, diseases organ transplants, vaccines, public health, epidemiologist, pharmaceutical development, fertility specialist, Agriculture and wildlife- crop development, pesticide reduction, food safety, wildlife management, species protection, environment protection, clean water, waste management Forensics and law, research how DNA and proteins function

Biotechnology and Fears Improve Life or Destroy life? November 13, 2006October 25, 2004

1.Biotechnology Learning Center Interactive Biotechnology Timeline 2. Access Excellence -Biotechnology 1977 to present 3. Interactive and animated timeline 4. Biotechnology Industry Organization Timeline 5. Biotechnology Timeline 6. Biotechnology Institute Timeline 7. Biotechnology Australia Biotechnology Timeline 8. Monsanto Company – A Brief Biotech Timeline 9. North Carolina Biotechnology Center Timeline Time Magazine Covers – Free archive References

11. Permission to use images for educational purposes: Virus image Cornelia Büchen-Osmond ICTVdB Management, Columbia University All Refer.com Reference -Genetic engineering of insulin graphic permission for educational purposes Genetic Science Learning Center, University of Utah, permission for educational use (colorful chromosomes) National Institute of Health – Stem Cell Information (Promise of Stem Cell diagram) US Bureau Census – World Population Information - graph Geek Philosopher royalty free photos (sheep, potato) U.S. Department of Energy Human Genome Program ArgenBio Spanish vocabulary and Timeline Man Receiving Injection image100 Royalty Free Photograph NIH – stem cells Free image downlodas from NIH – stem cells Wikipedia