Bioengineering applies engineering principles to biological systems, modifying living organisms or their components to create new products or improve existing processes. This interdisciplinary field integrates knowledge from biology, physics, chemistry, and computer science. Bioengineering offers solutions to complex challenges in health, agriculture, and environmental sustainability by altering biological processes to develop tangible products.
Defining Bioengineering
Bioengineering is a broad discipline that uses engineering tools to design, create, and modify biological systems. This field encompasses a wider range of techniques than genetic engineering, which specifically involves changing an organism’s genetic makeup. While genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are a direct result of genetic engineering, bioengineering includes these and other methods that do not necessarily involve direct gene insertion.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) uses the term “bioengineered food” for labeling purposes. This generally refers to foods developed through certain laboratory techniques that could not be achieved through conventional breeding or found in nature, often aligning with what consumers understand as “GMOs.” Bioengineering’s comprehensive approach includes gene editing technologies like CRISPR, synthetic biology (designing new biological parts), and metabolic engineering (optimizing cellular processes).
How Bioengineering is Accomplished
Bioengineering relies on various sophisticated techniques to modify organisms at a molecular level. One primary approach involves direct gene modification, where scientists introduce, remove, or alter specific genes within an organism’s DNA. This often utilizes recombinant DNA technology, which combines DNA from different sources to create new genetic sequences. This process allows for the precise manipulation of traits, leading to organisms with desired characteristics.
Another method is gene editing, exemplified by technologies like CRISPR-Cas9. This allows for highly targeted and efficient alterations to an organism’s genome, enabling scientists to modify genes with unprecedented precision. Beyond direct gene changes, bioengineering also employs pathway engineering, which involves modifying entire metabolic pathways within cells to optimize the production of specific substances. Synthetic biology complements these efforts by enabling the design and construction of entirely new biological components and systems. These techniques are typically performed in laboratory settings under controlled conditions.
Everyday Applications of Bioengineered Products
Bioengineered products have become integrated into various aspects of daily life, extending beyond just food. In food production, specific crops like corn, soybeans, sugar beets, and canola have been bioengineered to enhance traits such as pest resistance or herbicide tolerance. Bioengineered apples are available with reduced browning, and certain varieties of papaya are resistant to specific viruses. AquAdvantage Salmon, a bioengineered salmon, grows faster than its conventional counterparts.
The medical and pharmaceutical industries extensively utilize bioengineering. Insulin, a vital medication for diabetics, is produced through bioengineered microorganisms. Bioengineering also contributes to the development of biopharmaceuticals, gene therapies, and diagnostic tools that improve disease detection and treatment. Beyond health, bioengineered solutions contribute to industrial processes; for instance, enzymes produced by bioengineered microbes are used in detergents to enhance cleaning efficiency. Research is also exploring new materials, such as “jelly ice,” a reusable and compostable cooling material developed using bioengineering principles, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional ice packs.
Identifying Bioengineered Products and Consumer Awareness
To provide transparency for consumers, the United States implemented the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard. This standard, mandatory for most regulated entities since January 1, 2022, requires disclosure of bioengineered foods or ingredients. Its purpose is to inform consumers about the nature of their food, not to convey information about its safety or nutritional attributes compared to non-bioengineered counterparts.
Consumers can identify bioengineered foods through several disclosure options on product packaging:
- Text disclosures, such as “Bioengineered food” or “Contains a bioengineered food ingredient.”
- A standardized bioengineered symbol.
- An electronic or digital link, like a QR code, directing consumers to a website with more information.
- A text message option, where consumers text a number for information.
Highly refined ingredients, such as certain sugars and oils, may not require disclosure if processing removes all detectable modified genetic material. Additionally, foods sold by very small manufacturers or in restaurants are often exempt from these labeling requirements.