Scientists are developing disease and herbicide resistant crops, disease resistant animals, seedless fruits and rapidly growing chickens. Microbes are being engineered to digest compounds that are currently polluting our environment. It is believed that biochips would be faster and more energy efficient. Biochip implants in the body could deliver precise amounts of drugs to affect heart rate and hormone secretion or to control artificial limbs. Biosensors are monitors that use enzymes, monoclonal antibodies, or other proteins to test air and water quality, to detect hazardous substances, and to monitor blood components in vivo.
Gene therapy involves correction of defects in genetic material.
In this process a normal gene is introduced to replace a malfunctioning one. It may in time form the basis of its own industry or join the traditional pharmaceutical industry. New delivery systems, called liposomes, are being developed to get cytotoxic drugs to tumor sites with minimal damage to surrounding healthy tissues. New monoclonal antibodies will be isolated for use in cancer treatment, diagnostic testing, bone marrow transplantation and other applications. Whatever the future of these particular ventures, it seems molecular biology and biotechnology will be important sciences of the coming century.