Biotechnology

Biotechnology


Biotechnology is defined as means or way of manipulating life forms (organisms) to provide desirable products for man’s use. A scientist, named Karl Ereky, coined this word in 1919 to apply to the interaction of biology with human technology.

However, the process used in biotechnology has been around since the beginnings of time as one of the oldest human activities better known as cross-pollination. Since humans began settling in one place, cultivating crops and farming the land, they have manipulated the genetic nature of crops and animals they raise. A perfect example of the product of cross-pollination in early years is wheat, which is actually a hybrid of three separate grass species.

Scientists at the Monsanto Biotechnology Company in St. Louis were awarded, on April 27, 1999, the National Medal of Technology by the President of the United Stated for the development of basic techniques in agricultural biotechnology. Today, thanks to t...