Mariano Marcos State University
College of Agriculture Food and Sustainable Development
City of Batac
TERM PAPER
(Biodiversity and Biotechnology)
In Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements in
Agri 10
Submitted by:
Desiree Castillo
BSA I-F
Submitted to:
Prof. Charito Acosta
BIODIVERSITY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
I. Introduction
The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) defined biotechnology as “any technology
application that uses biological systems, living organisms, or derivatives there of, to make or
modify products or processes for specific use.” In a broad sense, the definition covers many of the
tools and techniques, which have been commonly used in agriculture and food production,
processing, and utilization. In a narrow sense, however, it encompasses DNA techniques,
molecular biology, and reproductive technological applications dealing primarily with gene
splicing and recombination, and genomics. In the present context, the narrow sense definition of
biotechnology has been considered.
Biotechnology is already underpinning the sustainable development of agriculture,
forestry, and fisheries, as well as the food and other primary product-related industries. It has
tremendous potential for impacting global food security, human and animal health, environmental
health, and overall livelihood of mankind.
However, as in the case of any complex technology impacting wide range of processes and
developments, the gains from modern biotechnology are accompanied with certain negative effects
and concerns. The nature and extent of the positive and negative impacts will depend on the choice
of the technique, place and mode of application of the technique, ultimate use of the product,
concerned policies and regulatory measures, including risk assessment and management ability,
and finally on the need, priority, aspiration and capacity of individual countries.
Modern biotechnology includes the following interdependent components: genomics,
bioinformatics, transformation, molecular breeding, diagnostics, and vaccine technology. While
there is general appreciation of the potential and impact of each of the components, controversies
generally surround the transformation component resulting in Genetically Modified Organisms
(GMOs), which may pose certain risks inherent to the technology.
Biotechnology, especially as it deals with living organisms, with its veritable
manifestations, has been a subject of extensive public debate. As regards biotechnology in relation
to biodiversity and sustainable agriculture, the three are complementary, synergistic and
interdependent, and not contradictory to each other.
Biodiversity is fundamental to both biotechnology and sustainable agriculture. Judicious,
rational, and science-and need-based exploitation of genetic resources through biotechnological
techniques should lead to sustainable agriculture. The controversy arises only when non-scientific,
hasty, profit-motivated, inhuman and unethical applications of biotechnology, and use of
biodiversity are contemplated.
II. Discussion
A. Definition of Biodiversity and Biotechnology
Biodiversity, short for biological diversity, is the term used to describe the variety
of life found on Earth and all of the natural processes. This includes ecosystem, genetic and cultural
diversity, and the connections between these and all species.
The definition of biotechnology varies, but a simple definition is the use of living
organisms by humans. It is a very interesting and innovative area of study. Biotechnology deals
with the use of engineering technology on life forms. This stream has occupied almost all fields
like agriculture, electronics, medicine, therapy etc. Now it is difficult to think about a field devoid
of the contribution of biotechnology.
B. Biotechnology and Sustainable Agriculture
Biotechnology has been contributing to sustainable agriculture through the
following ways:
• Increased resistance against biotic stresses (insect pests and diseases);
• Increased resistance against abiotic stresses (drought, cold, flooding, and problem soils);
• Bioremediation of polluted soils and bio-detectors for monitoring pollution;
• Increased productivity and quality;
• Enhanced nitrogen fixation and increased nutrient uptake and use efficiency;
• Improved fermentation technology;
• Improved technologies for generating biomass-derived energy;
• Generation of high nutrient levels in nutrient-deficient staple crops such as rice
Biotechnology contributes to sustainable agriculture by reducing the dependence on agrochemicals, particularly pesticides, through the deployment of genes conferring tolerance or
resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses. Carefully selected genes from related or unrelated genetic
resources are integrated in otherwise desirable genotypes. Systematic pyramiding of genes allows
integration of desirable genes in one genotype for different traits, such as tolerance to stresses,
productivity, and nutritional quality.
Technology, including new varieties and breeds, is an essential element of sustainable
agriculture. However, it is not the only element of sustainable agriculture. Non-technological
aspects such as governmental policy and will, institutional and infrastructural support, technology
sharing and transfer mechanisms, and peoples attitude and awareness are equally, if not more
important, in providing the needed conditions for absorption and successful exploitation of the
technology toward sustainable agriculture.
C. Concept and Importance of Biodiversity
Biological diversity or biodiversity is simply the full variety of life on earth – plants,
animals and microorganisms – including genes, species and even the entire ecosystems, and the
vital services these ecosystems provide to society.
Importance of Biodiversity

Sustains our life support system on earth/ Contributes to environmental stability

Provides options for the present and future in terms of bio-resources
Biodiversity is a concern that has direct linkage to poverty and development. The poor in
the rural areas are directly dependent on biodiversity resources for food, fuel, shelter, medicines
and livelihoods. This variety of living organisms together with its environment provide critical
services that are necessary for survival such as air and water purification, soil conservation, disease
control, and reduced vulnerability to disasters such as floods, droughts and landslides.
When these resources or its environment are subjected to pressures that exceed their
capacity to be resilient or to bounce back to its original state, imbalance in the ecosystem is created.
Examples of these pressures are over-exploitation, unsustainable practices and pollution which
could result to less production, increased health risks and vulnerability to natural disasters, and
loss of livelihood. When imbalance is created, degradation occurs. When situations like these arise,
they make lives especially in the rural areas more difficult therefore making development efforts
more challenging.
D. Threats to Philippine Biodiversity
The continuing habitat degradation and forestland conversion are major threats to
Philippine biodiversity. These are attributed primarily to large-scale and indiscriminate logging
and mining, burgeoning human population, overharvesting of resources, and infrastructure
development.

Indiscriminate logging literally changes the forest landscape. Although there has been a
decline in logging activities– due to the combined effects of a ban on logging old growth
forests– illegal logging activities persist.

Indiscriminate mining operations threaten ecological sustainability. The Philippines is
considered the fifth most highly mineralized country in the world. It is a significant
producer of gold, copper, nickel and chromite and has in the recent past ranked among the
world’s top 10 producers. It is also abundant in non-metallic and industrial minerals such
as marble, limestone, clay, feldspar and aggregates.
The threat is compounded by the fact that most of the country’s priority conservation areas
sit on top of huge mineral reserves. Thus there are many areas of significant biodiversity
with overlapping tenurial instruments, and with conflicting land uses and management
objectives.

The burgeoning human population against a limited land base causes forestland
conversion. With the country’s annual population growth rate of 2.04%, poverty,
landlessness and absence of secure tenure rights over secondary forest areas or logged-over
areas have become attractive for conversion into agricultural land and settlements.

Over-harvesting of resources such as medicinal and ornamental plants and wild animals
for trade and domestic use has contributed to habitat degradation and dramatic reductions
in species populations.

Infrastructure development, such as major industries, road networks, irrigation, water
resources, power and energy projects affect biodiversity directly and indirectly. Directly,
their operations and possible expansion may disturb, pollute, or encroach upon
biodiversity-rich ecosystems. Indirectly, they may attract satellite developments or
settlements that can cause fragmentation of species-rich habitats, provide access thereto,
and/or threaten the quality of surrounding water bodies.
E. Scope of Biotechnology
Gene Therapy: This is in a way, genetic engineering of humans, which would allow a
person suffering from a disabling genetic disorder to lead a normal life.
Immunotechnologies: Such as monoclonal antibodies (MABs) for diagnosis and therapy.
Antibodies, special sets of proteins present in humans that enable them to fight incursion of their
bodies by harmful chemicals or micro organisms. Monoclonal antibodies are single chemical
species of antibodies produced in the laboratory by a special technique.
Tissue culture: Tissue culture of both plant and animal cells. These are used for Micro
propagation of elite or exotic materials (Such as orchids), production of useful compounds such
as taxol (the widely used anti-cancer drug) and vanillin, and preparation in the laboratory of
“natural” tissues such as arteries for arterial graft or skin for burn victims. (Modern tissue culture
technologies allow the multiplication in the laboratory of cells isolated from plants and animals.
In the case of plants, one can grow in the lab a whole plant from a single cell.)
Stem cell techniques: Which would involve purification and isolation of stem cells from
various tissues and develop into the desired tissue which could then be used, for example, for
transplantation. Stem cells can be either totipotent (have the capability to produce any desired
cell type or organ of the body under specific conditions) or they could be pluripotent (able to
develop into several though not all cell types or organs). As embryonic stem cells are more likely
totipotency than stem cells from adult tissues, the immediate emphasis in the area of stem cells is
going to be first in the direction of establishing cell lines derived from early human embryos,
from which stem cells could be isolated.
Enzyme engineering and technology: Involves immobilized or stabilized enzymes, new
classes of enzymes (ribozymes) or new enzymatic routes that produce important organic
compounds. Enzymes are biological catalysts (Generally proteins) poised to replace inorganic
catalysts, which are used in chemical industry. (Proteins are abundant biological entities made up
of twenty amino acids strung together like pearls in a necklace, by a special type of thread- a
chemical bond called the peptide bond. One protein differs from another in the total number of
amino acids and their sequence in the chain.)
Photosynthetic efficiency: Increasing photosynthetic efficiency for biomass production in
the plant with the same amount of light and other inputs.
New DNA technologies: These include DNA fingerprinting, sequencing of genomes,
development and use of new molecular markers for plant identification and characterization.
Also the development of DNA- based probes for diagnosis of inherited disorders, antisense
technologies that are aimed at blockage of the function of a particular stretch of DNA and
computing using DNA.
Plant-based drugs: Use of modern biological techniques for validation, standardization
and manufacture of indigenous plant-based drug formulations.
Peptide synthesis: Synthasis to make new drugs or other materials of industrial and
commercial importance, such as salmon GnRH analogue (Ovaprim) to induce ovulation in fish.
(Peptides are small proteins, generally containing less than 50 amino acid moieties.) - See more
at: http://www.biospectrumindia.com/biospecindia/news/157811/the-scope-biotechnologyindian-advantage#sthash.uqftIGpA.dpuf
IV. References
http://www.fao.org/fileadmin/templates/soilbiodiversity/Downloadable_files/singh.pdf
http://www.fao.org/3/a-v1430e/V1430E05.htm
http://www.ecokids.ca/PUB/eco_info/topics/biodiversity/index.cfm
http://biodiversity.wwviews.org/philippines/
http://www.chm.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=55&Itemid=55
Department of Environment and Natural Resources. 1997. Philippine Biodiversity: An
Assessment and Plan of Action. Makati City, Bookmark.
http://www.vtubuddy.com/articles/the-biotechnology-and-its-scope/
V. Pictorials Related to Biodiversity and Biotechnology