How Important Is Biotechnology in Our Daily Lives?
Without us realising it, biotechnology plays an important role in our daily lives. Not only that it helps to improve our lives. More than that, this subject offers a renewable source of food, energy, and even industrial chemicals. Most importantly, this science provides us the ways to stay healthy in our lives through advanced biotech products. Let’s explore more about the history, definition, and importance of this science uses in our daily lives!
Biotechnology Science – The History
Speaking of history, biotechnology started at least 6,000 years ago with the agricultural revolution. At that time, researchers made exploitation of living organisms in their natural forms. In addition, the effort continued by modifying their genetic form through selective breeding.
Around the same time, many scientists learned to harness the biological process of fermentation to produce bread, alcohol, and cheese. Fortunately, this laid the foundation for biotechnology industries. From this foundation, scientists interact more directly with the molecular and genetic processes of organisms. Then, based on the work of these scientists, genetic engineering was developed in 1973. This method came up as the foundation of modern practices and recent advances in this industry.
Biotechnology itself is a science that deals with living organisms producing materials or providing specific services to humans. In addition, this science is a set of modern technologies that use essential organs or parts of them to produce products, such as:
- Medicines
- Food compounds
- Environmentally friendly chemicals
- Biofuels
Simply put, it’s all about harnessing the knowledge of life sciences and their applications to help our daily lives.
The Advancements of Biotechnology in Pakistan
In recent years, Pakistan has made remarkable biotechnology advancements. This applies especially to specific areas like genetic engineering and bioinformatics. Responding to this, many universities in the country are establishing advanced research facilities. The main aim is to offer aspiring students access to innovative technology and knowledge.
Government’s Support and Commitment
The Pakistan government’s commitment is proven by the fostering biotechnology science through research and development. Moreover, we can see the establishment of incubation centers and science parks. All the evidence shows the government’s proactive approach to nurturing startups and fostering innovation in the sector.
Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) are organisations that show how our country supports biotechnological advances.
Both of the organisations show their valuable contributions, including:
- Developing policies
- Evaluating effects
- Ensuring compliance
Of course, they combine the efforts with safety protocols across its applications.
Biotechnology Uses in Pakistan
Thanks to the advancements in innovations, biotechnology science has made significant inroads across various sectors in Pakistan.
Here are some main applications we can see:
Research and Development (R&D)
Scientists and researchers use biotechnological tools to study genes, proteins, and cellular processes. This leads to innovations in medicine, agriculture, and environmental protection.
Pharmaceutical Industry
Pakistan’s pharmaceutical industry sector relies heavily on biotechnology science. In fact, researchers use biotechnological methods to develop and manufacture drugs, including vaccines.
Agriculture and Food Industries
The application of biotechnology in agriculture contributes to improving agriculture and food production in Pakistan. For example, we can see how Genetic Modification (GM) techniques help create crops with better resistance to pests, diseases, and environmental stress. Eventually, GM crops can lead to increased yields and better food security.
Environmental Biotechnology
As we know, Pakistan faces environmental challenges such as pollution, waste management, and water scarcity. Well, environmental biotechnology offers the best solutions, such as:
- Developing eco-friendly processes
- Bioremediation techniques
- Sustainable energy sources
Furthermore, this life-science has contributed to environmental sustainability through innovative solutions. Also, let’s not forget to mention many researchers working on using microorganisms to clean up contaminated sites and produce biofuels. Eventually, the integration of biotechnology science into this sector underscores its essential role in addressing some challenges and fostering sustainable development in Pakistan.
Educational Pathways in Biotechnology with CUST
To support the growing application of biotechnology science, CUST (Capital University of Science and Technology) provides innovative programs for a BS biotechnology degree.
Overall, the programs have learning objectives that covered important points, including:
- Hypothesis Formulation
- Experiment/ Process Design
- Modern Tool Usage
- Impact Analysis
- Teamwork encouragement
At CUST, we make the best effort to support students with a solid foundation in biology, chemistry, and physics. On the other hand, as a student, you will also learn problem-solving skills, an analytical mindset, and a great passion for research and innovation.
What About the Career Prospects?
Well, the future job market for biotechnologists in Pakistan is promising. The main drive comes from technological advancements and industry demands.
Generally, you can find many opportunities across research, product development, regulatory affairs, and academia. Ultimately, by being a professional in this field, you can pursue promising careers, like:
- Bioinformatician
- Research Scientist
- Regulatory Affairs Specialist
- Clinical Technician
- DNA Analyst
- Microbiologist
- Biomedical Engineer
Be a Professional in Biotechnology with CUST!
No doubt, biotechnology plays an important role in our daily lives. In addition, we can never deny the fact that this subject is about harnessing the knowledge of life sciences and their applications to help humans’ lives. So, if you are interested to become a professional with BS biotechnology degree, CUST is the best university you can rely on. Start your journey today!
