Defining Biotechnology

Monday, August 8, 2011

There are many ways to define biotechnology. One of the simplest definitions is that it is the manipulation of living organisms or parts of organisms to make products useful to human. The definition generally includes working with a whole plant or animal and all the systems that make up the organism. Another way to define the term is that it is using knowledge of cells to modify their activities in order to make living organisms more effective in serving people. Biotech at this level deals with the cells of plants or animals and may even include cells of organisms such as viruses that are neither plant nor animal.

Still another definition of biotechnology is that is deals with genetically manipulating organism to alter their behavior, characteristics, or value. This type of biotech is by far the one with the most potential and the most controversial. Throughout this text, we will explore all the definitions of bio technology and how humans have developed technology for use with living organisms.

One reason the development of biotechnology has been so difficult is that scientist use living organisms that grow and reproduce. Also, in the case of higher-ordered animals, the care and welfare of the animals have to be taken into consideration. Manipulation of cells and cell function has to be done carefully with many safeguards to govern the process.

This adds complications not encountered with most processes in the physical sciences. The public is very hesitant to accept organisms that were produced through means that it considers to be unnatural. People are reluctant to accept anything they don’t understand, particularly if it relates to the food they consume.

A large part of what is described as biotechnology is that of cell and gene technology used to produce new characteristics in plants or animals. This technology is used in a wide variety of ways to improve the plants and animals we produce for human use. The traditional breeding of plants and animals takes a tremendous amount of time because scientist have to wait for each new generation of plants or animals in order to observe the results. The desired result may not occur, and the scientist then have to wait for another generation. With genetically engineered organisms, scientist can place the particular gene that control the desired characteristic in the precise place on the chromosome. In this way, the anticipated result can be achieved in the next generation of plant or animal.