Empowering Global Citizens

Activity TIG.3.4

Introduction to Biotechnology, Bioinformatics, and
Health Care

The teacher will provide an introductory overview to biotechnology, of-
fering a definition of the field and covering molecular biology, DNA, the
recombination of DNA, genetic engineering and stem cells, cloning, and
gene therapy.

Students then watch Daniel Reda’s “An Introduction to Biotechnology”
from Singularity University (http://www.evolution—radar.tv/daniel-reda/
an—introduction—to—biotechnology—and—bioinformatics—video__8 1fbc90a0.

htrnl).

The teacher then shows clips from a video that illustrates some contemporary
applications of biotechnology. The teacher could show clips on genetically
modified food (http://planetgreen.discovery.com/food—health/S—of-the~
newest—and—craziest—genetically—modified—foods«3—are-animals.html), regen—
erating our bodies through medical technology (http://www.ted.com/talks/
alan_russell_on__regenerating_our_bodies.htrnl, or folding DNA (https://
www. ted.com/talks/paul_rothem und_details_dna_folding?language=en).

Students discuss the video and review likely future applications of these
technologies.

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