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Biotechnology |
| Biotechnology |
| Biotechnology is the science of working with living cells and their molecules to produce varied products for the benefit of mankind. |
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| Biotechnology has been known to be in use for over 10000 years; however, recent developments have made the field exciting. In earlier times, biotechnology was used to bake bread, brew alcoholic beverages, and breed food crops or domestic animals. An important breakthrough was the discovery that DNA stores genetic information, which led to rapid development of Biotechnology. |
| The pioneers of DNA research were James D. Watson, Francis Crick and Maurice Wilkins, who jointly received the Nobel Prize in December 1962 for their discovery of the double-helix structure of DNA and its significance for information transfer in living material. |
| Biotechnology can be broadly classified into three sub-groups: Red Biotechnology, White Biotechnology and Green Biotechnology. |
 | Red Biotechnology: When biotechnology is applied to medical processes, it is known as Red Biotechnology. Genomic manipulation to cure diseases is an example of Red Biotechnology. | | White Biotechnology: When biotechnology is applied to industrial processes, it is known as White Biotechnology. Production of a useful chemical through the design of organisms in an example of White Biotechnology. | | Green Biotechnology: When biotechnology is applied to agricultural processes, it is known as Green Biotechnology. Designing of transgenic plants to grow under specific environmental conditions is an example of Green Biotechnology. | |
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