Biology Case study (4 Marks)

It is a set of exclusive rights granted by a government to the inventors or their assignee to prevent others from commercial use of their invention. And when patent is granted for biological entities and for products derived from them, they are called biopatents. Primarily USA, Japan and members of European Union are awarding biopatents.

Using the technique RNA interference (RNAi) transgenic tobacco plant is protected against Meloidegyneincognitia, using Agrobacterium, as the vectors, nematode specific genes were introduced into the host plant (introduction of ds RNA) produces both sense, and antisense RNA, these 2 RNAs from ds RNA, silences specific mRNA of nematode, no protein synthesis/no translation, hence nematode can not survive in tobacco plant.

1. Options to increase food supply:

• Agrochemical based agriculture, using chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
• Organic agriculture, using biofertilizers, biopesticides, vermin composting, etc.
• Genetically-engineered (GM) crops based agriculture.

2. The success of Green Revolution was due to:

• Use of improved/ hybrid crop varieties.
• Better management practices.
• Use of agrochemicals (pesticides and fertilisers).

3. ​​​​​​​We still search for other methods for the following reasons:

• The agrochemicals cause pollution of soil and water and reduce the yield in the long run, they are too expensive for the farmers.
• Further increase in the yield of the existing varieties by conventional breeding is not possible.

1. Food Security: The earlier Green Revolution has certain limitations. Biotechnology can help in overcoming those limitations. It can help in improving the food production to meet the growing demand because of growing population. Production of Spirulina is an example which shows that huge quantity of nutrient can be produced by minimum use of land.
2. Medicine: Many vaccines and other pharmaceuticals products have been made through biotechnology. Several diagnostic techniques; using biotechnology; has made it easier to diagnose a disease in time and has helped in better cure.
3. Environmental Protection: Use of Bt cotton helps in minimising the use of pesticides. This is beneficial for the environment because it helps in saving useful insets.
4. Crime Detection: DNA fingerprinting can be used to trace the identity of a criminal by using even the smallest remains of criminal’s body parts.
5. Legal Disputes: Parentage disputes are being settled with the use of DNA fingerprinting.

A person suffering from ADA deficiency can be cured by various methods which are discusses below:

• Bone Marrow Transplantation: This is a costly and risky surgical procedure. It requires a suitable donor which is difficult to find. An identical twin is supposed to be the best donor; because chances of tissue rejection are very high in bone marrow transplantation.
• Enzyme Replacement Therapy: Enzyme replacement therapy is based on administering the missing enzyme to the patient by injection. This involves recurrent treatment that has escalated the cost this therapy.
• Gene Therapy: Gene therapy involves taking out the lymphocytes from the patient’s blood. Then are lymphocytes are genetically engineered to add the missing gene. Recombinant lymphocytes are grown in suitable medium and then administered to the patient. This too is not a permanent cure because lymphocytes have a certain lifespan. The patient needs to be administered lymphocytes after frequent intervals. However, the gene isolated from marrow cells producing ADA is introduced into cells at early embryonic stage could be permanent cure for this disease.