The application of biotechnology in medical treatment, environmental protection, food and other fields has a far-reaching impact on improving human medical and living environment and improving disease prevention, diagnosis and treatment technology. However, while bringing great benefits to human society, we should be highly alert to its negative impact on human health, social ethics and ecological environment and actively formulate scientific and effective countermeasures.
1. Development Status of Biotechnology
Biotechnology is based on life science. Using the characteristics and functions of organisms (or biological tissues, cells and other components), design and construct new substances or new strains with expected performance, and carry out socialized production or socialized service in combination with engineering principles. It is a comprehensive science and technology developed on the basis of molecular biology and cell biology combined with the methods and principles of modern engineering in the early 1970s. Transgenic microorganisms may exchange genetic material with other organisms, produce new pests or enhance the harmfulness of pests. Thereby causing the epidemic of diseases [6].
3. 1.3 Uncertainty of gene therapy:
1) The current technology cannot guarantee that introducing genes into germ cells will not cause harm to offspring and be effective, but once the harm is caused, it will be hereditary and irreversible;
2) There are only a few genes with therapeutic value, and the mechanism of genetic diseases controlled by multiple genes is still unclear;
3) In order to make genes enter cells, genes are often integrated with adenovirus or retrovirus, but the potential risks of viruses to the body have not been solved.
3. 1.4 Danger of xenotransplantation: Immune rejection and cross-species infection are two main problems of xenotransplantation.
3. 1.5 panic of biological weapons: biological warfare agents are the general name of pathogenic microorganisms, toxins and other bioactive substances used to kill people and animals and destroy crops in military operations. At present, traditional biological weapons have developed to a new stage of "gene weapons".
3.2 Ethical Issues of Biotechnology
With the development of biomedical technology, people can not only diagnose, treat and prevent diseases more effectively, but also manipulate genes, sperm or eggs, fertilized eggs, embryos, and even human brains and human behaviors. This amplified power can be used correctly or abused. How to control it effectively? The influence of this power may affect generations. What if the interests of this generation conflict with those of future generations? 1February, 997, the appearance of "cloned sheep" aroused strong repercussions all over the world, so will there be "human cloning" in the next step? After the completion of HGP, "genetic discrimination" caused some people with genetic abnormalities to be treated unfairly in marriage, employment and further education [8]. The emergence and development of modern artificial reproductive technology (ART) has brought unprecedented impact and destruction to the traditional concept of marriage and family. A child may have five parents [9]. Who are the children's legal parents? Embryos become commodities, so are people commodities? Biotechnology has caused many problems to ethics, and the ambiguity, confusion and inversion of ethics can easily lead to psychological and emotional distortion.
4. Conclusion
While benefiting mankind, biotechnology may also cause social problems such as ethics, and even bring disastrous effects to mankind, especially when people do not know enough about its harm or are abused by human beings, its potential danger is unpredictable. Therefore, human beings must face up to these problems, strengthen policy guidance, improve relevant legal systems, guide the development and health of biotechnology industry, and make it continue to contribute to improving human health, prolonging life, developing new energy sources and environmental protection.