What is Biotechnology?

Biotechnology- a budding science   Biotechnology is short for biological technology that is going on from the ancient civilizations to this modern world till today.. Technology is the ability to better utilize our surroundings and the way we live. Biotechnology applies the same principles to living organisms. Biotechnology can be defined as the application of our knowledge and understanding of biology to meet practical needs. Today’s biotechnology is largely identified with applications in medicine and agriculture based on our knowledge of the genetic code of life, genetic engineering, DNA finger printing, molecular technology, genetically modified seed cultivation, vaccinations, biopesticides and biofertilisers. Fermentation, used in making bread, beer, and cheese, is an example of biotechnology. Modern biotechnology simply allows scientists to be more specific in their work and expand their areas of specialization. Different types of crops have been produced using the molecular tools of biotechnology and are beginning to be utilized in agricultural systems all over the world. Biotechnology has the potential to assist farmers in reducing on-farm chemical inputs and produce value-added commodities. Conversely, there are concerns about the use of biotechnology in agricultural systems including the possibility that it may lead to greater farmer dependence on the providers of the new technology. Biotechnology is technology based on biology, especially when used in agriculture, food science, and medicine. The UN Convention on Biological Diversity has come up with one of many definitions of biotechnology. “Biotechnology means any technological application that uses biological systems, living organisms, or derivatives thereof, to make or modify products or processes for specific use.” Biotechnology can also be defined as the manipulation of organisms to do practical things and to provide useful products. One aspect of biotechnology is the directed use of organisms for the manufacture of organic products (examples include beer and milk products such as cheese, yogurt). For another example, naturally present bacteria are utilized by the mining industry in bioleaching. Biotechnology is also used to recycle, treat waste, clean up sites contaminated by industrial activities (bioremediation), and produce biological weapons. There are also applications of biotechnology that do not use living organisms. Examples are DNA microarrays used in genetics and radioactive tracers used in medicine. Bio technology finds its application in sectors such as medicine and general human and health improvement, agriculture for enhanced yield produce, medicinal research and clinical trials and contract research, bioinformatics and other related fields and areas. Needless to say that the ready available market and tremendous use of the technology in industrial application make it is one of the most happening technology application of our times for wide usage.