Biotechnology has many uses and applications in the medical and health care industries and continues to provide improvements in the field. One of the biggest uses in biotechnology is for medicinal purposes. Some of the biggest areas of application in the medicinal field include
pharmacogenomics, drug production, genetic testing and genetic therapy.
- Genetic testing is one of the more controversial applications of biotechnology and includes two major types: one method involves the use of DNA probes with sequences similar to mutated sequences and the other method involves the scientist or researcher conducting the genetic test by comparing the patients DNA sequence against a healthy persons DNA sequence. Applications of biotechnology in genetic testing make it possible to determine sex, carrier screening, prenatal diagnostic screening, newborn screening and even forensic and identity testing.
- Biotechnology is used in gene therapy for treating and possibly curing acquired and genetic diseases such as AIDS and cancer. It works by using normal genes and supplementing or replacing the defective genes. There are two basic implementations of gene therapy: ex vivo which is done outside of the body, and in vivo which is done inside of the body
- Pharmacogenomics is the impact that genetic inheritance of an individual has on the way their bodies respond to drugs and medications. It is basically the study of genetics and pharmaceuticals. -Benefits of biotechnology applications in pharmacogenomics include: development of custom medications, accurate methods of determining proper dosages of medications, improvements in the discovery of new drugs and getting those drugs approved, and better and safer vaccinations.
- Biopharmaceuticals refer to large molecules of protein that typically
target the hiding mechanisms of diseases. Biotechnology has improved
the way drugs and medications are developed and used, and has opened the
door to a whole new method of developing treatments by studying genetic
traits.