Introduction Guide to Biotechnology - Biomolecular Engineering Lab

14
2004
n The FDA approves the first anti-angiogenic drug for
cancer, Avastin ® (bevacizumab).
n The FDA clears a DNA microarray test system, the
AmpliChip ® Cytochrome P450 Genotyping Test, to aid
in selecting medications for a wide variety of common
conditions.
n An RNA-interference product for age-related “wet”
macular degeneration becomes the first RNAi product
to enter a clinical trial.
n The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization
endorses biotech crops and states that biotechnology
is a complementary tool to traditional farming
methods that can help poor farmers and consumers in
developing nations.
n The National Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Medicine
finds biotech crops do not pose any more health risks
than do crops created by other techniques, and that food
safety evaluations should be based on the resulting food
product, not the technique used to create it.
n FDA finds biotech wheat safe after a food safety review.
n Monsanto introduces low-linolenic soybeans (produced
through conventional breeding methods) that
will reduce or eliminate trans fatty acids in processed
soybean oil.
n Chicken genome sequenced by the Chicken Genome
Sequencing Consortium.
n First cloned pet, a kitten, is delivered to its owner.
n Laboratory rat genome is sequenced.
n Researchers complete the sequence of the chimpanzee—humanity’s
closest primate relative.
n The Canadian biotech company Iogen achieves the first
commercial production and delivery of bioethanol, producing
the fuel with biotech enzymes and wheat straw.
n California voters pass Proposition 71, which supports
embryonic stem cell research with $3 billion in funding
over 10 years.
2005
n Researchers at the University of Georgia successfully
produce a cow cloned from the cells of a carcass.
n FDA for the first time approves a drug for a specific
race. The drug, NitroMed’s BiDil ® , treats congestive
heart failure in self-identified black patients. The
company hopes a genetic test can be developed to
identify patients likely to benefit, regardless of race.
n The Energy Policy Act is passed and signed into law,
authorizing numerous incentives for bioethanol development.
n The National Institutes of Health in December launches
a pilot project to determine the feasibility of The
Cancer Genome Atlas. The ultimate goal would be a
complete map of the genomic changes involved in all
types of human cancer.
n Using new genome sequence information, scientists at
the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention partially
synthesize the flu virus that killed at least 20 million
people worldwide in 1918–1919.
n Scientists at Harvard University report success in converting
skin cells into embryonic stem cells through
fusion with existing embryonic stem cells.
n USDA, Monsanto and Genaissance Pharmaceuticals
announce a joint soybean genome project.
n The British government approves the Equine Fertility
Unit’s research in using nuclear transfer in horse
cloning.
n On May 7, the one billionth acre of biotech seed is
planted.
n The World Health Organization (WHO) issues the report
Modern Food Biotechnology, Human Health and Development,
which states biotech foods can contribute to
enhancing human health and development. According
to the report, biotech foods can increase crop yield, food
quality, and the diversity of foods which can be grown in
a given area. They lead to better health and nutrition and
thereby help raise health and living standards.
n The British research firm PG Economics Ltd. finds
that the global use of biotech crops has added $27 billion
to farm income, and greatly reduced agriculture’s
negative impacts on the environment.
n The National Science Foundation, USDA, and the
Department of Energy award $32 million to a team
of university and private laboratory researchers to
sequence the corn genome.
n A consortium of scientists led by the National Human
Genome Research Institute publishes the dog genome,
which belongs to a 12-year-old boxer.
Biotechnology Industry Organization n Guide to Biotechnology