Biotechnology for Wildlife is a new and emerging discipline that integrates the entire biology and ecology of wildlife systems. This discipline seeks to identify, prioritize and manage the threats to health and survival of these living systems. In broad terms, it is the use of science to improve the health of nature. Biotechnology for Wildlife focuses on the use of genetic engineering and genetic composition to manipulate and improve the quality and function of living organisms.
Recent years have witnessed a rapid expansion of this discipline. A number of interdisciplinary groups are emerging to address different aspects of this emerging frontiers. The areas of focus include Genomics- which studies the whole genome, or the whole genetic code of an organism. Genomics has made remarkable contributions to our understanding of disease and genetic adaptation. It also forms the basis of many other areas of research.
Biotechnology for Wildlife addresses the problems faced by the field in the form of potentially responsive and preventable diseases. It also aims at the management of emerging and chronic challenges like contaminated habitats and environmental change. Biotechnology for Wildlife focuses on developing vaccines, drugs and chemicals that can specifically counter or eliminate these and other potential pathogens. The ultimate aim is to create medicines that can help restore and transform an animal’s physiological and behavioural patterns and thereby increase its longevity.
Currently there are more than 250 projects in the field of biotechnology. Among these, Biotechnology Infrastructure Development (BID) is the fastest growing area. BID involves the implementation of tools and technologies designed to bolster the capabilities of biotechnology units, enhance their capacity and save costs. This field represents one of the biggest innovations in the field of biotechnology. Biodiversity is being threatened by ever increasing synthetic chemicals and pesticides which pose threats to plant and animal life.
In the last few decades, with global warming being the key environmental issue of the day, biotechnology for wildlife has received prime importance. Global warming has resulted in extinctions of some species of plants and animals. Biotechnology projects in this area are focusing on the development of crops and biofuels that can replace fossil fuels and reduce the negative impact of global warming. Some biotechnological plants have even made use of carbon dioxide in a carbon-dioxide-to-charcoal method. Another branch of this discipline is genetic engineering, using techniques such as gene splicing and nuclear magnetic resonance to develop insect and plant viruses. Other applications in this field include the production of therapeutic proteins for human and veterinary treatment.
Biotechnology is gradually impacting every sphere of life. In the last couple of decades, this field has started integrating plant and animal genetics to engineer crops that can increase food production. It is also working on ways to protect endangered species. Biotechnology is making huge contributions to the world of medicine as well. With the latest inventions in this field, the future of mankind is bright.