Biotechnology Revolution

Biopharmaceuticals represent an exciting frontier in the application of biotechnology and a rapidly developing sector of the pharmaceutical industry. Biopharmaceuticals are distinct from synthetic drugs in that they are derived from biological sources and manufactured using biotechnology. Biopharmaceutical research has already led to the development of therapies for various life-threatening illnesses, including skin cancer and leukemia, among others, and has the potential to yield new breakthroughs for many more. This introductory volume examines the history of biopharmaceuticals, the ins and outs of the pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical industries, and the future of the field.

This comprehensive resource teaches readers about the fundamental science behind the Human Genome Project, the aim of which was to identify and map all of the genes in the human genome. Readers will learn the basics of DNA, genetics, and the human genome; important areas and the history of genetic research; and how our world has changed since the project. Further, readers will learn about the project itself, including its timeline, ambitions, and achievements, and what we've learned. Satisfying the biology component of the Core Curriculum, this book is a great introduction into genetics research.

Modern science has made remarkable advances in genetics. This volume covers the foundations of genes and heredity to give readers a solid understanding of what modern genetics has been built on, before examining the ways in which genetic testing is used to assess genetic risk. Also featured are the many ways researchers and medical professionals are using gene therapy to improve lives, as well as bioethical considerations and social ramifications inherent in going even further with genetics.

From tissue engineering that produces artificial skin for burn patients to the use of nanotechnology for precise drug delivery, recent advances in bioengineering have fundamentally changed both the world in which we live and the bodies within which we live. Among the topics covered in this invaluable compendium are homeostasis, biological and artificial control systems, diagnostic imaging, prostheses, biomaterials, environmental engineering, and various subfields of bioengineering. Readers will become familiar with the most exciting and significant developments in this important field.

This resource covers one of the most contentious and politically charged topics today. The history of agriculture is traced, from ancient practices to the use and impact of modern technology and the advances of scientific agriculture. The book explains the reactions of scientists, farmers, chefs, and medical doctors to the scientific changes in agriculture, which have ranged from support to skepticism, and shows how different governments around the world view the inclusion of GMOs in food. The unbiased approach allows readers to decide for themselves whether GMOs are the answer to world hunger or could negatively impact the health of the world population.

Since the early 20th century, when Hans Spemann first twinned salamander embryos, scientists have made astounding progress in the science and technology of cloning. They have now developed the means to apply cloning in research, agriculture, and medicine. With advancements in cloning techniques for stem cell research, scientists have been able to explore human diseases at a cellular level, attempting to better understand the cellular mechanisms involved in disease. Readers explore the history, science, applications, and ethical issues of cloning. Sidebars profile pioneers in the field, including John Bertrand Gurdon, Ian Wilmut, Shinya Yamanaka, and James Thomson.