What Is Biotechnology?The simplest explanation of Biotechnology is the use of living organisms, or their subcellular components, for the creation of useful products and services for humankind. Biotechnology, in one form or the other, has been practiced for thousands of years, starting with breeding of plants and animals for desired traits, and including the use of microbes to make beer, wine and cheese, or to leaven bread. More modern interpretations of biotechnology include the use and manipulation of subcellular components and biomolecules, such as DNA, RNA, and proteins, and result in many of the modern products we hear about in the news and that are on our shelves today, such as genetically modified plants, modern pharmaceuticals made from cloned gene products, and common consumer items such as early pregnancy tests. Biotechnology is an integral part of our modern lifestyle. New and pioneering uses of this technology continue to appear, including stem cell therapies for diseases and ailments such as Parkinson’s Diseases and spinal cord injuries, and personal genomic analysis that can tell you about ancestry and give you indications about your propensity for certain diseases. Included below are some recommended links to help further your investigation into biotechnology: General Biotechnology
Biotechnology Trade Associations:California Biotechnology Industry Groups:
National/International Industry Groups:
Emphasis on Education
Online Journals
Agricultural Biotechnology
Bioethics/Biotechnology Issues
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