Biotechnology

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Biotechnology

Biotechnology is the application of technology that uses biological systems and living organisms—or derivatives—to create or modify processes or products for specific uses.

It is known for its multidisciplinary nature, as it is applied in chemistry, biology, and various processes to reach different sectors such as medicine, pharmacy, agriculture, food science, and forestry.

Biotechnology is used to use the biological machinery of other living beings to benefit humans; that is, it uses living cells to create specific products. Biotechnology produces improved medicines, healthier foods, more productive crops, more durable materials, and energy sources.

Humans have learned to use, modify, and improve the organisms that nature offers according to their needs. The main fields of application of biotechnology are:

Biosanitary: Used to obtain drugs, diagnose diseases, vaccines and cell therapies, and molecular identity.

Agricultural and livestock: Specializes in developing crops and improving harvests and foods, as well as achieving resistance to pests and diseases. With biotechnology tools and methodologies, it is possible to reduce new plant varieties more quickly than before, with tolerance to adverse environmental conditions, improved nutritional characteristics, resistance to herbicides, pests, etc. It is used in disease diagnostic systems; in the use of living organisms or produced substances to improve crop productivity or pest control. Also, in the in vitro culture of cells and tissues to produce plants on a large scale; in genetically modified crops; germplasm conservation; Diversity studies, genetic evolution of populations, and improvement programs.

Environmental: Such as pollution resistance and species conservation. It is used in the treatment of contaminated liquid waste, solid waste management, metal recovery, and substance diagnosis and detection.

Industrial process: It is used in sectors such as cosmetics, food, fuels, and chemicals. It helps to obtain additives, flavorings, colorings, detergents, fuel alcohol thanks to these new intelligent materials.

Types of Biotechnology

Red Biotechnology: Refers to the use of bio-organisms in medicine, such as in the creation of antibiotics. It is the healthcare branch of biotechnology.

Green Biotechnology : Applied to agricultural processes. For example, the development of products to combat pests.

White Biotechnology: Biotechnology applied to industrial processes. For example, the development of biofuels.

Gray Biotechnology: For the search for solutions to environmental problems. It seeks the conservation and recovery of contaminated natural ecosystems through bioremediation processes.

Blue Biotechnology: For processes related to the sea. Development of marine resources for the creation of products for aquaculture, for example.

In recent years, biotechnology has demonstrated its potential in the development of modern techniques in cellular, molecular, and genetic biology, combined with engineering. It is also complemented by knowledge in fields such as bioethics, bioinformatics, legislation, and even economics and administration.

This is a discipline that plays a fundamental role in the production of products that are used to detect and cure diseases, or to combat climate change, among other aspects of vital importance to the future of humanity. Therefore, it is a profession that not only offers many job opportunities but is also extremely satisfying.

Activity: Answer the following questions

Remember to review the answers to the open-ended questions at the bottom of this page.

1. Why is biotechnology considered a multidisciplinary field?

2. What benefit does green biotechnology seek?

3. Which field uses marine resources to create products?

4. An example of the application of environmental biotechnology is:

5. What types of products are obtained in industrial biotechnology?

Once Click this button. The questions will close, and you won't be able to change your answer.

6. Why is biotechnology important to the future of humanity?

7. What is red biotechnology and what are some examples?

8. What are the main sectors where biotechnology is applied?

9. Name an everyday product obtained through industrial biotechnology.

10. Which branch of biotechnology seeks to develop vaccines?

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Answers to open questions

6. Since its applications cover health, food, the environment, and sustainability, it is key to the future.

7. It is the biosanitary branch, applied in medicine, that develops drugs, vaccines, diagnostics, and cellular therapies.

8. Medicine, pharmacy, agriculture, food science, forestry, the environment, and industry.

5. Eye on Tech. (2022, 5 diciembre). 8 Types of Biotechnology Explained [Vídeo]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zvm3skSY9RA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zvm3skSY9RA

6. Venture City. (2023, 22 julio). BIOTECHNOLOGY in the Future: 2050 (Artificial Biology) [Vídeo]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvsyIlKhVlQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvsyIlKhVlQ

7. TODAY. (2023, 17 enero). How biotechnology could change the face of cosmetics [Vídeo]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDp_R9YJgOY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDp_R9YJgOY