Question

What is biotechnology

Answer 1

Biotechnology is the exploitation of biological processes for industrial and other purposes, especially the genetic manipulation of microorganisms. The exploitation of biological processes for industrial and other purposes, especially the genetic manipulation of microorganisms for the production of antibiotics, hormones, etc.

Biotechnology can be defined as the controlled and deliberate manipulation of biological systems for the efficient manufacture or processing of useful products. The fact that living organisms have evolved such an enormous spectrum of biological capabilities means that by choosing appropriate organisms it is possible to obtain a wide variety of substances, many of which are useful to man as food, fuel and medicines. Over the past 30 years, biologists have increasingly applied the methods of physics, chemistry and mathematics in order to gain precise knowledge, at the molecular level, of how living cells make these substances. By combining this newly-gained knowledge with the methods of engineering and science, what has emerged is the concept of biotechnology which embraces all of the above-mentioned disciplines.

Answer 2

At its simplest, biotechnology is technology based on biology - biotechnology harnesses cellular and biomolecular processes to develop technologies and products that help improve our lives and the health of our planet. We have used the biological processes of microorganisms for more than 6,000 years to make useful food products, such as bread and cheese, and to preserve dairy products.

Modern biotechnology provides breakthrough products and technologies to combat debilitating and rare diseases, reduce our environmental footprint, feed the hungry, use less and cleaner energy, and have safer, cleaner and more efficient industrial manufacturing processes.

Currently, there are more than 250 biotechnology health care products and vaccines available to patients, many for previously untreatable diseases. More than 13.3 million farmers around the world use agricultural biotechnology to increase yields, prevent damage from insects and pests and reduce farming's impact on the environment. And more than 50 biorefineries are being built across North America to test and refine technologies to produce biofuels and chemicals from renewable biomass, which can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Biotech is helping to heal the world by harnessing nature's own toolbox and using our own genetic makeup to heal and guide lines of research by:

Reducing rates of infectious disease;Saving millions of children's lives;Changing the odds of serious, life-threatening conditions affecting millions around the world;Tailoring treatments to individuals to minimize health risks and side effects;Creating more precise tools for disease detection; andCombating serious illnesses and everyday threats confronting the developing world.
Biotech uses biological processes such as fermentation and harnesses biocatalysts such as enzymes, yeast, and other microbes to become microscopic manufacturing plants. Biotech is helping to fuel the world by: Streamlining the steps in chemical manufacturing processes by 80% or more;Lowering the temperature for cleaning clothes and potentially saving $4.1 billion annually;Improving manufacturing process efficiency to save 50% or more on operating costs;Reducing use of and reliance on petrochemicals;Using biofuels to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 52% or more;Decreasing water usage and waste generation; andTapping into the full potential of traditional biomass waste products.
Biotech improves crop insect resistance, enhances crop herbicide tolerance and facilitates the use of more environmentally sustainable farming practices. Biotech is helping to feed the world by: Generating higher crop yields with fewer inputs;Lowering volumes of agricultural chemicals required by crops-limiting the run-off of these products into the environment;Using biotech crops that need fewer applications of pesticides and that allow farmers to reduce tilling farmland;Developing crops with enhanced nutrition profiles that solve vitamin and nutrient deficiencies;Producing foods free of allergens and toxins such as mycotoxin; andImproving food and crop oil content to help improve cardiovascular health.