Biotechnology

The manipulation of organisms (or parts of organisms) to create or improve products or services. It involves the uses of biological materials and knowledge in medicine, food and agriculture, and other fields. The field includes the manufacture of organic products such as the use of bacteria by the mining industry for clean-up, and waste treatment. Production of biological weapons is also a biotechnology. The organisms used need not be livings; for example DNA manipulation and bioengineering of new strains of bacteria and viruses also fall within its boundaries, as does the use of genetically altered E. coli or yeast for use in the production of insulin or antibiotics. It can also include genetic modification of animals as in cloning and in the design of transgenic animals and plants. WordIQ says: “Red biotechnology is biotechnology applied to medical processes. An example would include an organism designed to produce an antibiotic, or engineering genetic cures to diseases through genomic manipulation. White biotechnology, also known as grey biotechnology, is biotechnology applied to industrial processes. An example would include an organism designed to produce a useful chemical. White biotechnology tends to consume less resources that traditional processes when used to produce industrial goods. Green biotechnology is biotechnology applied to agricultural processes. An example would include an organism designed to grow under specific environmental conditions or in the presence (or absence) of certain agricultural chemicals. Green biotechnology tends to produce more environmentally friendly solutions than traditional industrial agriculture. An example of this would include a plant engineered to express a pesticide, thereby eliminating the need for external application of pesticides. The term blue biotechnology has also been used to describe the marine and aquatic applications of biotechnology, but its use is relatively rare”