BIOTECHNOLOGY AND GENETIC ENGINEERING: CURRENT ADVANCEMENTS, EMERGING CHALLENGES, AND FUTURE HORIZONS IN MODERN SCIENCE

Abstract

Biotechnology is the term given to the branch of science that employs knowledge, techniques, and genetic engineering methods for creating various products using living organisms as raw material. Although this term has been recently adopted, humans have long been manipulating biological processes for their own benefit. Biotechnology is multidisciplinary and encompasses various fields of knowledge, with significant progress achieved over the years, particularly in the medical and cosmetic sectors. Through genetic engineering, it has become possible to edit genes more precisely, revolutionizing the study and manipulation of DNA and allowing the proposal and use of strategies that were once unthinkable in the scientific field to address contemporary issues. Among its most recent contributions are the development of new drugs and biopharmaceuticals, vaccines, cellular, genetic, and protein therapies, as well as the production of biocosmetics. However, there are still challenges to be faced in the extensive use of genetic engineering, ranging from production costs and the success of the technique at the molecular level to ethical issues surrounding the application of this technology. Thus, this literature review aims to discuss the most recent advances, applications, and future perspectives of biotechnology and genetic engineering in the scientific field.