Molecular Biotechnology : Principles and Applications of Recombinant dna (4th Edition)

S U M M A R Y
I
n 1973, Stanley Cohen, Herbert Boyer, and their coworkers 
devised a method for transferring genetic information 
(genes) from one organism to another. This procedure, which 
became known as recombinant DNA technology, enabled 
researchers to isolate specific genes and to perpetuate them in 
host organisms. Recombinant DNA technology has been ben-
eficial to many different areas of study. However, its impact on 
biotechnology has been extraordinary.
Biotechnology, for the most part, uses microorganisms on a 
large scale for the production of commercially important 
products. Before the advent of recombinant DNA technology, 
the most effective way of increasing the productivity of an 
organism was to induce mutations and then use selection pro-
cedures to identify organisms with superior traits. This pro-
cess was not foolproof; it was time-consuming, labor-intensive, 
and costly; and only a small set of traits could be enhanced in 
this way. Recombinant DNA technology, however, provided a 
rapid, efficient, and powerful means for creating microorgan-
isms with specific genetic attributes. Moreover, the tools of 
recombinant DNA technology enable not only microorgan-
isms, but also plants and animals, to be genetically engineered. 
Combining recombinant DNA technology with biotechnology 
created a dynamic and exciting discipline called molecular 
biotechnology.
From its beginning, molecular biotechnology captured the 
imagination of the public. Many small companies dedicated to 
gene cloning (recombinant DNA technology) were established 
with funding from private investors. Although these biotech-
nology companies took somewhat longer than expected to 
bring their products to the marketplace, a large number of 
recombinant DNA-based products are currently available, 
and many more are expected soon.
Because of its broad impact, molecular biotechnology has 
been scrutinized carefully for its potential effects on society. 
Some of the concerns that have been raised are its safety, its 
possible negative effects on the environment, and the private 
or public ownership of genetically engineered organisms.

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The Development of Molecular Biotechnology