Discovery of Recombinant DNA. The Single Greatest Breakthrough in Medical Biotechnology in the Past 50 Years

Polemic Paper from the year 2018 in the subject Chemistry - Bio-chemistry, grade: 1, Egerton University, language: English, abstract: In the past 50 years, the field of medicine has experienced tremendous advancements ranging from the discovery of new diagnostic techniques, treatment therapies and life-saving medical devices. In practice, advances in the medical technology have influenced mankind in the universe by providing solutions to health conditions, cure for diseases and production of food products. Despite the achievement of many breakthroughs in the medical biotechnology in the past 50 years, it is apparent that the discovery of Recombinant DNA in 1973 by Herbert Boyer and his colleague Stanley N. Cohen at Stanford University Medical School is the single greatest breakthrough in medical biotechnology. Justification for recombinant DNA technology being regarded as the single greatest breakthrough in medical biotechnology is provided by its impact in the field of medicine, industrial process and agricultural production. Foremost, the use of the recombinant technology has led to the development of new vaccines, therapeutic remedies to various conditions including gene therapy for genetic disorders, development of modern diagnostic procedures, and advances in food production through the use of genetically modified organisms.