The word, bacteria, conjures a mental image of disease and death, but not all bacteria cause harm. The pathogenicity, or the ability to cause disease, can be altered and manipulated using biotechnology. Once rendered harmless, the bacteria can become beneficial and profitable and put to work in a variety of fields. From antibiotics to increased milk production in cattle, biotechnology is priceless in medicine, and a variety of industries.
Thrombolytics
The Merck Manuals indicates that clotbusters, or thrombolytics, serve a vital purpose in dissolving blood clots with stroke or heart attack patients. Streptokinase, urokinase and tPA or tissue plasminogen activator are three frequently used thrombolytics. Each is derived from bacterial manipulation and administered intravenously within a critically limited time period. The negative aspect is an increased risk of hemorrhage and the need to withhold the medication if active bleeding is suspected or visible.
Intestinal flora
Normal intestinal flora includes bacteria that break down food products for absorption into the body and formation of stool. When the flora are disrupted with the use and abuse of antibiotics, there is a potential for organisms present to cause illness. Ohio State University researchers maintain that antibiotics put stress on bacteria to find a way to survive and results in resistance.
Antibiotics
Numerous antibiotics may be produced from bacteria by genetic manipulation. Antibiotics are used to contain the growth of bacteria and prevent illness. Arizona State University maintains that antibiotics in the aminoglycoside category are produced from bacterial alteration. Some of those antibiotics are known by trade names like tetracycline, neomycin, nystatin, bacitracin and streptomycin.
Vitamins
According to PubMed, vitamin K-2, called menaquinone, is produced by intestinal flora and plays a role in maintaining normal and appropriate blood clotting. Vitamin K-2 plays a key role when the diet is lacking in vitamin K-1, called phylloquinones, found in green leafy vegetables. Vitamin B-12 is also produced by several bacteria and a deficiency can cause a severe form of anemia called pernicious anemia.
Amino Acids
Earthlife.net maintains that amino acids, from protein, have many purposes in the food industry including sweeteners, antioxidants and flavor enhancers. Amino acids are also used to treat dietary deficiencies. One deficiency is caused by a hereditary disorder that alters the breakdown of amino acids in the body, called phenylketonuria, or PKU. Some of the food industry products include MSG or monosodium glutamate, a flavor enhancer, aspartame, a sugar-free sweetener, and lysine, a food additive.
Biotechnology Industry
Enzymes, proteins that cause chemical reactions, can be synthetically produced from bacteria. Protease, one enzyme, is useful in dry-cleaning to remove spots, as meat tenderizers, wound cleansers in medicine, and as detergents. Vinegar, used in pickling and salad dressings, is produced from bacteria. Manipulation of bacteria also plays a role in the synthesis of plastics and in sewage control.
References
- PubMed: The Production of Menoquinones (Vitamin K2) By Intestinal Bacteria and Their Role in Maintaining Coagulation Homeostasis
- Earthlife.net: Bacteria and Technology
- Arizona State University: Antibiotics and Proteins Made by Bacteria
- Ohio State University: Bad News for Pathogenic Bacteria: Scientists Find Protein Essential for Bacterial Survival
- The Merck Manuals: Bacteria and Antibacterial Drugs
