Environmental Biotechnology

Environmental Biotechnology: A Biosystems Approach, Second Edition presents valuable information on how biotechnology has acted as a vital buffer among people, pollution, and the environment. It answers the most important questions on the topic, including how, and why, a knowledge and understanding of the physical, chemical, and biological principles of the environment must be achieved in order to develop biotechnology applications.

Using a systems biology approach, the book provides a context for researchers and practitioners in environmental science, also serving as a complement to guidebooks on the necessary specifications and criteria for a wide range of environmental designs and applications. Users will find crucial information on the topics scientific researchers must evaluate in order to develop further technologies.

• Provides a systems approach to biotechnologies which includes the physical, biological, and chemical processes in context
• Presents relevant case studies on cutting-edge technologies, such as nanobiotechnologies and green engineering
• Addresses both the applications and implications of biotechnologies by following the lifecycle of a variety of established and developing biotechnologies
• Includes crucial information on the topics scientific researchers must evaluate in order to develop further technologies

Dr. Daniel A. Vallero is an internationally recognized expert in environmental science and engineering. His four decades of research, teaching and professional experience in hazardous waste engineering and management have addressed a wide range of human health risk and ecological issues, from global climate change to the release of hazardous wastes. His research has advanced the state-of-the-science of air and water pollution measurement, models of potential exposures to chemicals in consumer products, and environmental impact assessments.
He established the Engineering Ethics program and is a key collaborator in the Responsible Conduct of Research Program at Duke University. These programs introduce students, from first-year through PhD, to the complex relationships between science, technology and societal demands on the engineer. The lessons learned from the cases in this book are a fundamental part of Duke's preparation of its future engineers to address the ethical dilemmas likely to be encountered during the careers of the next generation engineers.
Dr. Vallero received a bachelor's degree from Southern Illinois University, a Master of Science in City & Regional Planning from SIU, a Masters in Civil & Environmental Engineering (Environmental Health Sciences) from the University of Kansas, and a PhD in Civil & Environmental Engineering from Duke.

Auteur

Dr. Daniel A. Vallero is an internationally recognized expert in environmental science and engineering. His four decades of research, teaching and professional experience in hazardous waste engineering and management have addressed a wide range of human health risk and ecological issues, from global climate change to the release of hazardous wastes. His research has advanced the state-of-the-science of air and water pollution measurement, models of potential exposures to chemicals in consumer products, and environmental impact assessments.

He established the Engineering Ethics program and is a key collaborator in the Responsible Conduct of Research Program at Duke University. These programs introduce students, from first-year through PhD, to the complex relationships between science, technology and societal demands on the engineer. The lessons learned from the cases in this book are a fundamental part of Duke's preparation of its future engineers to address the ethical dilemmas likely to be encountered during the careers of the next generation engineers.

Dr. Vallero received a bachelor's degree from Southern Illinois University, a Master of Science in City & Regional Planning from SIU, a Masters in Civil & Environmental Engineering (Environmental Health Sciences) from the University of Kansas, and a PhD in Civil & Environmental Engineering from Duke.

Échantillon de lecture
Chapter 1 Environmental Biotechnology
An Overview
Abstract

This chapter is an introduction to environmental biotechnology, beginning with a discussion of systems theory. The systematic approach is applied to environmental science and engineering, especially environmental risk assessment and management, including lessons learned from environmental impact statements and life cycle analyses (LCAs). Important tools and concepts are introduced, including biomarkers, the exposome, dosimetry, toxicokinetics modeling, bioremediation, risk trade-offs, and ethics. The chapter introduces both the applications of biotechnology for environmental purposes and the possible adverse environmental implications of biotechnologies. Keywords
Aerosol; Antibiotic resistance; Benefit/cost ratio; Bioengineering; Bioremediation; Biotechnology; Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA); Dual use; Engineering ethics; Environmental assessment (EA); Environmental ethics; Environmental impact statement (EIS); Exposome; Exposure assessment; Genetically engineered (GE); Genetically modified organism (GMO); "Gray goo"scenario; Life cycle analysis (LCA); National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA); Particulate matter (PM); Phytoremediation; Precautionary principle; Reliability engineering; Risk analysis; Risk assessment; Risk management; Risk trade-off; Superfund; Systems theory; Toxicokinetics As industrial biotechnology continues to expand in many sectors around the world, it has the potential to be both disruptive and transformative, offering opportunities for industries to reap unprecedented benefits through pollution prevention.

Brent Erickson (2005) [1] Two of the important topics at the threshold of the twenty-first century have been the environment and biotechnology. Erickson succinctly yet optimistically characterizes the marriage of potential simultaneous advances in biotechnology and looming environmental problems. Considered together, they present some of the greatest opportunities and challenges to the scientific community. Biotechnologies offer glimpses into ways to address some very difficult environmental problems, such as improved energy sources (e.g., literally "green" sources like genetically modified algae), elimination and treatment of toxic wastes (e.g., genetically modified bacteria to break down persistent organic compounds in sediments and oil spills), and better ways to detect pollution (e.g., transgenic fish used as rapid and real-time indicators by changing different colors in the presence of specific pollutants in a drinking water plant) [2]. Tethered to these arrays of opportunities are environmental challenges that remain unresolved and perplexing. Many would say that advances in medical, industrial, agricultural, aquatic, and environmental biotechnologies have been worth the risks. Others may agree, only with the addition of the caveat, "so far." Still others would completely disagree, given the uncertainty and potential for severe and irreversible damage to the environment and public health. This text does not argue whether biotechnologies are necessary. Indeed, humans have been manipulating genetic material for centuries. The main objective here is that, given the possible, often unexpected, adverse environmental outcomes from even well-meaning, important, and even necessary biotechnologies, decisions should be systematic in terms of potential risks and benefits. Environmental biotechnology, then, is all about the balance between the applications that provide for a cleaner environment and the implications of manipulating genetic material.

Contenu

Preface

Chapter 1 Environmental biotechnology: An overview

Ch…