Biotechnology Helps Preserve Nature
The tools of biotechnology are tiny, but they’re becoming “heavy equipment” in protecting Earth’s fragile environment.
Antibodies, enzymes, microbes and even some algae are being used as environmental monitoring and cleanup devices to protect soil and water from pollution.
Paints and cements can be made to include bacteria or enzymes to prevent the corrosion and contamination that comes from bacterial slimes, fungi or algae on outdoor surfaces such as buildings and boats.
Biotechnology-enhanced microorganisms are used in wastewater treatment and in improved biodegradation processes for landfill waste that may actually produce valuable by-products.
In fact, biotechnology can improve and accelerate recycling of a variety of materials. Enzymes developed with biotechnology tools are used to de-ink recycled paper, to decrease the disintegration time of recycled pulp, and to reduce papermakers’ toxic waste output, their use of bleaching chemicals and energy while improving product quality.
Harmful and invasive organisms such as kudzu and red algae may be better controlled through biotechnology, or even used for beneficial purposes. In fact, kudzu has been proposed for use in herbal medicines and biofuel production.
Biotechnology is also providing tools such as environmentally friendly pesticides to control populations of insect pests, including gypsy moths.
On the other hand, biotechnology can be used to genetically identify, rescue and restore threatened and endangered species, such as the American chestnut, a tree once found throughout Appalachian forests.