Question

Discuss the importance of biotechnology in the field of medicine.

Answer 1

Using genetic engineering techniques medicinally important valuable proteins or polypeptides that form the potential pharmaceutical products for the treatment of various diseases have been developed on a commercial scale.

Pharmaceutical products developed by rDNA technique:

1. Insulin used in the treatment of diabetes.
2. Human growth hormone used for treating children with growth deficiencies.
3. Blood clotting factors are developed to treat haemophilia.
4. Tissue plasminogen activator is used to dissolve blood clots and prevent heart attack.
5. Development of vaccines against various diseases like Hepatitis B and rabies.