What is biotechnology?
‘Biotechnology’ generally refers to the use of a living organism or part of a living organism or process for a specific purpose. This broad definition includes both modern and ancient biotechnologies.
Embryonic stem cells
Embryonic stem cells are obtained from early embryos and have the potential to form all cell types.
Biotechnology in the school curriculum
Biotechnology is part of Technology in the New Zealand Curriculum (2007). However, no definition of biotechnology is provided.
In the earlier New Zealand Technology Curriculum (1995), biotechnology was defined as: “The use of living systems, organisms, or parts of organisms to manipulate natural processes in order to develop products, systems, or environments to benefit people.”
This definition of biotechnology is relatively broad and covers both ancient and modern biotechnologies. This definition includes:
products – for example, food, pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals
systems – for example, compost, waste management, water purification
environments – for example, hydroponics, biocontrol
genetic or biomedical engineering – for example, stem cell therapies, pre-implantation diagnostics, and the development of genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
Other definitions of biotechnology are more limited. They may only cover techniques like DNA manipulation and genetic engineering. This article gives some definitions.
Ancient biotechnology
Humans have used organisms to make products for more than 10,000 years. The earliest examples of biotechnology are the domestication of animals and growing of crops for food. These biotechnologies prompted a fundamental change in society – from hunting and gathering to farming and raising livestock.
Wine-making in ancient Egypt
A painting of decoration within the tomb of the Egyptian official Nakht depict wine making. The images are dated between 1401 to 1391 BC.
About 4,000–8,000 years ago, humans began using microorganisms to make products like beer, wine, yoghurt, cheese and bread. They were also beginning to use organisms or organisms’ products in medicine. Find out more in our article: Ancient biotechnology.
Early manipulation of genes
Selective breeding occurred once plants and animals had been domesticated. Selective breeding enhances traits in plants or animals. It is still used today to produce organisms with desirable traits. Selective breeding involves mating parents with certain traits to produce specific traits, or combinations of traits, in their offspring.
The early pioneers of selective breeding didn’t know that traits were inherited through genes. However, what they were doing was essentially manipulating the genetic makeup of organisms for the benefit of humans.
Modern biotechnology
Over the last few hundred years, the range of biotechnologies has risen rapidly. This is associated with our increased understanding of organisms, cells and their products.
DNA samples in a centrifuge
DNA samples in Eppendorf tubes are placed into a microcentrifuge for centrifugation.
Most recently, the key to developing new biotechnologies has been the discovery of the structure of DNA in 1953. Since that time, much has been learnt about DNA. In the 1970s and 80s, many techniques were developed for working with DNA that contributed to our ability to sequence genomes from many organisms. This included the sequence for the human genome, which was published in 2003 after more than a decade of work.
Our ability to identify, copy and manipulate genes directly has led to:
DNA sequencing and mapping
gene cloning
genetic modification.
Find out more about Modern biotechnology.
The impacts of biotechnology on society
Biotechnologies use organisms or parts of organisms, so they often raise ethical or legal concerns, for example:
Should we clone animals?
Use embryonic stem cells to treat disease?
Should we transplant organs from pigs to humans?
Use this article, Impacts of biotechnology on society to encourage discussion in your class and then follow up with this student activity Exploring the impacts of biotechnology on society.
This activity using our online quiz (below) is a great introduction to biotech – it’s a treasure hunt using lots of related resources.
Biotechnology quiz
Answer the questions in this quiz to find out how much you know about biotechnology.
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