The Philips Lecture, 1981 - Targets in biotechnology

Abstract

Established biotechnologies overcome cost handicaps, particularly aqueous process dilution, through unique advantages. Ancient fermen­tations confer psychopharmacological, palatable or nutritional qualities on drinks and foods. Modern biotechnologies depend on bacterial versa­tility (sewage disposal), enzyme specificity (hydrolases), high value of complex products (antibiotics, vaccines), chirality (amino acids), high yield (citric acid), or, rarely, process intensity (glucose isomerase). Advances in recombinant DNA have already given valuable human proteins. Numerous new targets include hormones, blood proteins and antibodies. Production techniques will include cell fusion and animal cell culture, and new hosts, some eukaryotic, for human genes. Enhanced production of cells, organelles and enzymes will follow, partly to take advantage of the industrial potential of immobilization. Later still, improved engineering and new biological processes should allow competitive production of fine chemicals, protein and other foods, bulk chemicals and fuels. Some products will require simultaneous change and advance in agriculture: interspecific genetic manipulation, plant cell culture and other modern developments will facilitate these.