Basic Concepts of Bio-Technology

Biotechnology is now a lightning rod for visceral debate, with opposing camps making strong claims of promise and peril. The debate involves not just scientific, but also political, socio-economic, ethical and philosophical issues. This book, ‘Basic Concepts of Biotechnology’, is designed for the students, research fellows and professionals dealing with the complicated branch of science known as biotechnology. In the separate chapters of the book are elaborated the key concepts of the subject. These points include: The important U.S. Supreme Court’s decision which declared ‘a live human-made microorganism is patentable matter’. The growth of biotechnology with the advancement of genetic engineering. Production of human insulin and growth hormone. Chemical re-plantation and its manipulation. Production of monoclonal antibodies. Use of bacteria to biodegradable oil spills and toxic wastes. All the concepts are substantiated with definitions and diagrams. Recent developments in the field of biotechnology have been given special attention.