Practical Applications
## Using Biology to Solve Real Problems
Biotechnology harnesses living organisms or their products to make our lives better. In medicine, it helps produce vaccines, antibiotics, and personalized treatments. In agriculture, it creates crops that are more nutritious, resistant to pests, or able to grow in harsh conditions.
### Applications
- Genetically modified crops (GMOs) feed more people with fewer resources.
- Gene therapy aims to cure genetic diseases by fixing faulty genes.
### Ethical Considerations
As technology advances, we must balance benefits with concerns like safety, environmental impact, and fairness.
Examples
- Golden rice is engineered to provide vitamin A to populations with deficiencies.
- Insulin for diabetics is manufactured using genetically modified bacteria.