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Description: Biotechnology has taken the world by a storm. With the plethora of possibilities afforded by it, there is no sphere of human activity left untouched. This book has at its core an explanation of the basic principles underlying this field. They have been dealt with in a manner so lucid and simple that even a non-biologist would feel completely at home with these concepts. Terms such as GMO, gene therapy, genetic engineering, stem cells, clones, transgenic, DNA fingerprinting, designer animals, patents, nanotechnology, super bugs and fermentation, have been explained in a simple manner. Using state-of-the-art technologies, scientists have created vitamin enriched rice, anti-cancer tomatoes, transgenic animals producing life saving therapeutics like blood-clot busters, insulin, haemoglobin and transgenic bacteria that have the ability to degrade environmentally hazardous compounds. Biotechnologists are also trying to generate human organs and tissues from the ‘stem cells’ present in a human body. All such developments have been touched upon in this book. A strong reference has been made to technological advances which have made them to news headlines, like the cloning of the sheep "Dolly", DNA fingerprinting used in the identification of a rapist and biological father of a child. Given that Biotechnology may be viewed as a two edged sword, its flip side has been discussed in the chapter on ‘Bioethics’. Moreover, for quick reference of relevant terms, a glossary has been provided.
Contents: What is Biotechnology • Am I similar to animals, plants and microbes • Why do children look like their parents • Work horse of the cell • Why is acid needed for digestion produced only by stomach cells? • Sheep"Dolly" had no father but only mother • Is it possible to clone Sachin Tendulkar? • Human Genome project • Genetically modified organisms • Pigs producing human haemoglobin • Can I be cured of Thallesemia permanently? • Is it possible to clone my heart and kidney? • Who are my parents? • Protein rich potatoes (Protatoes) • Dynamite eating microbes • Smart computers • Chlorophyll man • Nanobiotechnology • Can I have monopoly on my invention? • Bioethics and BiotechnologyISBN - 9788130905990
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Pages : 92
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