Genetic Engineering vs. Biotechnology

Main Difference

The main difference between Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology is that Genetic Engineering is considered as the branch of biological science that is involved in the alteration of the genetic material, whereas Biotechnology is referred to as a branch of science in which living organisms are used for the benefit of mankind.

Difference Between Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology

Comparison Chart

Genetic Engineering vs. Biotechnology

Genetic engineering is the branch of biological science that deals with the alteration of the genetic material and show direct intervention in the genetic material of an organism. On the flip side, biotechnology is the branch of science according to which living organisms can be used for the benefit of mankind and is also involved in aiding human beings. The history of genetic engineering is short, and the history of biotechnology is very long as compared to the history of genetic engineering.

Genetic engineering is referred to as a very fascinating, young, and exciting branch of the biological sciences. On the other side, biotechnology is mainly referred to as a branch of science that is increasing the standard of a human being. Genes are considered to be modified and changed in genetic engineering. On the flip side, biotechnology comprises genes that cannot be changed and altered.

Genetic engineering can be used to change and modify the DNA of any of the living organisms like humans, plants, and microbes, etc. for the benefit and help of mankind. On the other hand, biotechnology uses only life processes and microorganisms for the benefit of mankind. The organisms which are modified by genetic engineering comprise a very slight chance of survival in nature. On the flip side, The organisms which we use in biotechnology can easily survive in nature.

Moreover, a low amount of products are obtained from genetic engineering as compared to biotechnology that offers a wide range of products.

What is Genetic Engineering?

Genetic engineering is referred to as a biotechnological application in which we manipulate the DNA or genes of organisms according to the requirement. In order to provide benefits to the needs of humans, we mainly utilize genetic engineering. It is a more appropriate term for obtaining different specific techniques for gene manipulation. Genetic engineering is considered to develop in the 1970s.

With the help of this field, we can isolate an identified gene that is mainly involved in performing a certain function in a specific organism. Then, this isolated gene can be introduced into another organism. Now we let the gene to express itself into that organism. As a result of this expression, we get the required benefits or products from the organism.

Recombinant DNA Technology (RDT) is the technique with the help of which we introduce the foreign genes into an organism’s genome. This technique was primarily used in 1972. An organism with such a foreign gene is recognized as a genetically modified organism. Certain food is considered as a genetically modified food when it is produced through a genetically modified organism. The main practice that is performed through genetic engineering is the production of medicine and food.

It is believed that there is not a great chance of survival of genetically modified organisms in nature unless we provide them with the desired conditions, or the scientists continuously make efforts to manage the size of their population. The reason behind this problem is that natural selection does not take place in these organisms. So, the natural conditions could prove disastrous for genetically modified organisms.

Furthermore, in order to provide benefit to the agricultural crops, we have been starting the use of genetic engineering due to which the crops would exhibit an increased immunity against the herbicides or insects. Genetic engineering does not comprise a wide range of products.

What is Biotechnology?

Biotechnology is referred to as one of the very highly productive fields of biology in which we modify the organisms in order to gain the financial benefits from them. One should notice that a biological system is used by biotechnology in a technological aspect to gain financial benefits, i.e., the product, derivative, or the organism. Biotechnology touches a lot of streams in which the main streams include the cell and tissue culture, microbiology, embryology, genetic engineering, molecular biology, and many others.

There are a lot of proud results of biotechnology in which the tasting wine, favorite chocolate, gulping beer, ever-loving ice cream are at the hit list. The production of high-yielding crops, enzymes, antibiotics, cultivation of food plants, and hundreds of other products came into existence due to biotechnology.

Biotechnology is also playing an essential role in the areas of medicine, pharmacology, and other treating means. Hence, the above discussion clarifies that there are lots of applications that came into existence due to biotechnology. There is a great history of biotechnology that dates us back towards the primary days of human civilizations.

We do not modify the organisms to be different in biotechnology, but we enhance their natural processes in order to get the optimum product. Therefore, the organisms that we use in biotechnology would not face the danger of being in the grave under natural conditions.

Conclusion

All of the above discussion concludes that genetic engineering is a short history branch of biological science that is involved in the alteration of the genetic material and show direct intervention in the genetic material of an organism, on the other hand, biotechnology is the branch of science with a long history in which living organisms are used for the benefit of mankind and is also involved in aiding the human beings.