HISTORY
Recombinant DNA is DNA that has been created
artificially. DNA from two or more sources is incorporated
into a single recombinant molecule.
To be useful, the recombinant molecule must be
replicated many times to provide material for analysis,
sequencing, etc. Producing many identical copies of the same
recombinant molecule is called cloning, which can be done in
vitro by a process called the polymerase chain reaction
(PCR). The biotechnology revolution is the latest buzz-word
in a world of increasingly fast changing scientific
discovery. Perhaps an easier analogy is to compare it to the
information technology revolution. The IT revolution has had
such widespread effect because of the general purpose of its
nature. Programming binary digits of a computer's memory
allowed the application of information technology in nearly
all fields of human endeavor. The same thing can be said
about the invention of the printing press, the steam engine
and electricity generation as these opened doors to the
introduction of new general purpose technology that, in
turn, has resulted in the creation of tremendous new wealth.
Scientists throughout the world are researching genetic
engineering. First Watson and Crick discovered the structure
of the DNA molecule, and the next development was to manipulate
it and use it to our advantage. In the early 1970's, researchers
discovered how to cut the molecules apart and splice the
pieces remaining to another molecule of DNA. Twenty-five
years ago, Herb Boyer and Bob Swanson had the insight, genius
and unwavering commitment to begin a different kind of company
based on the belief that recombinant DNA technology would
produce commercially viable, breakthrough medicine. Boyer
and Swanson founded Genentech on April 7, 1976 in a semi-vacant
warehouse located in South San Francisco, simultaneously
launching the biotech industry. Since then, we can properly
say the biotech revolution sprang from the relatively recently
discovered (1973) technology of recombinant DNA which allows
the manipulation of life's fundamental building block, DNA,
representing a new general purpose technology that is arguably
more significant than anything to date. Developments in
biotechnology are fast reaching exciting stages because
of efforts of the Human Genome Project to decode the entire
human DNA structure. This new general purpose technology
will have enormous impact on human lives and on the economy.
Genentech is a leading biotechnology company that
discovers, developes, manufactures and commercializes biotherapeutics
for significant unmet medical needs. Eighteen of the currently
approved biotechnology products originated from or are based
on Genentech science. Genenetech manufactures and commercializes
13 biotechnology products in the United States which have
been used to treat more than one million oncology, cardiovascular,
respiratory, dermatology and growth hormone patients worldwide.
