Biotechnology has numerous applications, particularly in medicine and agriculture. Examples include the use of biotechnology in merging biological information with computer technology (bioinformatics), exploring the use of microscopic equipment that can enter the human body (nanotechnology), and possibly applying techniques of stem cell research and cloning to replace dead or defective cells and tissues (regenerative medicine). Companies and academic laboratories integrate these disparate technologies in an effort to analyze downward into molecules and also to synthesize upward from molecular biology toward chemical pathways, tissues, and organs.
In addition to being used in health care, biotechnology has proved helpful in refining industrial processes through the discovery and production of biological enzymes that spark chemical reactions (catalysts); for environmental cleanup, with enzymes that digest contaminants into harmless chemicals and then die after consuming the available food supply; and in agricultural production through genetic engineering.
Agricultural applications of biotechnology have proved the most controversial. Some activists and consumer groups have called for bans on genetically modified organisms (GMOs) or for labeling laws to inform consumers of the growing presence of GMOs in the food supply. In the United States, the introduction of GMOs into agriculture began in 1993, when the FDA approved bovine somatotropin (BST), a growth hormone that boosts milk production in dairy cows. The next year, the FDA approved the first genetically modified whole food, a tomato engineered for a longer shelf life. Since then, regulatory approval in the United States, Europe, and elsewhere has been won by dozens of agricultural GMOs, including crops that produce their own pesticides and crops that survive the application of specific herbicides used to kill weeds.
Studies by the United Nations, the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, the European Union, the American Medical Association, U.S. regulatory agencies, and other organizations have found GMO foods to be safe, but skeptics contend that it is still too early to judge the long-term health and ecological effects of such crops. In the late 20th and early 21st centuries, the land area planted in genetically modified crops increased dramatically, from 1.7 million hectares (4.2 million acres) in 1996 to 180 million hectares (445 million acres) by 2014. By 201415 about 90 percent of the corn, cotton, and soybeans planted in the United States were genetically modified. The majority of genetically modified crops were grown in the Americas.
Overall, the revenues of U.S. and European biotechnology industries roughly doubled over the five-year period from 1996 through 2000. Rapid growth continued into the 21st century, fueled by the introduction of new products, particularly in health care. By 2020 the biotechnology market size was estimated at $752.88 billion globally, with new opportunities for growth emerging in particular from government- and industry-driven efforts to accelerate drug development and product-approval processes.
See the original post:
Biotechnology - Applications of biotechnology | Britannica
- Is Weakness In Bloomage BioTechnology Corporation Limited (SHSE:688363) Stock A Sign That The Market Could be ... - Simply Wall St - March 28th, 2024
- Insiders were the biggest winners as Beijing Bohui Innovation Biotechnology Group Co., Ltd.'s (SZSE:300318) market ... - Simply Wall St - March 28th, 2024
- Biotechnology CEO and inventor of SiriusXM Satellite Radio Martine Rothblatt to deliver graduation address to the ... - EurekAlert - March 28th, 2024
- 6 biotechnology universities in the UK leading the way for future talent - Labiotech.eu - March 28th, 2024
- Is Vera Therapeutics Inc (VERA) a Bad Choice in Biotechnology Wednesday? - InvestorsObserver - March 28th, 2024
- Is G1 Therapeutics Inc (GTHX) Stock at the Top of the Biotechnology Industry? - InvestorsObserver - March 28th, 2024
- The three-year underlying earnings growth at Anhui Anke Biotechnology (Group) (SZSE:300009) is promising, but the ... - Simply Wall St - March 28th, 2024
- Is Lyra Therapeutics Inc (LYRA) Stock at the Top of the Biotechnology Industry? - InvestorsObserver - March 28th, 2024
- Should You Sell 4D Molecular Therapeutics Inc (FDMT) in Biotechnology Industry? - InvestorsObserver - March 28th, 2024
- SPMVV receives 47.9 lakh grant from the governments Department of Biotechnology - The Hindu - March 28th, 2024
- Where Does IGC Pharma Inc (IGC) Stock Fall in the Biotechnology Field After It Is Up 14.71% This Week? - InvestorsObserver - March 28th, 2024
- Report Lays Out Road Map to Transform Understanding of RNA and Invest in RNA Science and Biotechnology - National Academies of Sciences, Engineering,... - March 28th, 2024
- Is Akebia Therapeutics Inc (AKBA) Stock at the Top of the Biotechnology Industry? - InvestorsObserver - March 28th, 2024
- Singapore and Indonesia to foster bilateralism in healthcare, digital health, and biotechnology - BSA bureau - March 28th, 2024
- Where Does Gossamer Bio Inc (GOSS) Stock Fall in the Biotechnology Field After It Is Lower By -14.07% This Week? - InvestorsObserver - March 28th, 2024
- Where Does Equillium Inc (EQ) Stock Fall in the Biotechnology Field After It Is Down -31.25% This Week? - InvestorsObserver - March 28th, 2024
- Q5A(R2) Viral Safety Evaluation of Biotechnology Products Derived from Cell Lines of Human or Animal Origin - FDA.gov - January 14th, 2024
- An Introduction to Biotechnology - PMC - National Center for ... - January 14th, 2024
- Should You Invest in the Invesco Biotechnology & Genome ETF (PBE)? - Yahoo Finance - January 14th, 2024
- Digital Life Norway (DLN) Initiative to foster and boost transdisciplinary biotechnology research and innovation - Open Access Government - January 14th, 2024
- Is Elevation Oncology Inc (ELEV) a Bad Choice in Biotechnology Thursday? - InvestorsObserver - January 14th, 2024
- Is Cytokinetics, Inc. (CYTK) Stock at the Top of the Biotechnology Industry? - InvestorsObserver - January 14th, 2024
- Is Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc (REGN) Stock at the Top of the Biotechnology Industry? - InvestorsObserver - January 14th, 2024
- Is Axsome Therapeutics Inc (AXSM) a Good Buy in the Biotechnology Industry? - InvestorsObserver - January 14th, 2024
- Where Does Immunovant Inc (IMVT) Stock Fall in the Biotechnology Field After It Is Higher By 11.63% This Week? - InvestorsObserver - January 14th, 2024
- Should Biotechnology Stock Harpoon Therapeutics Inc (HARP) Be in Your Portfolio Wednesday? - InvestorsObserver - November 24th, 2023
- Should Biotechnology Stock SpringWorks Therapeutics Inc (SWTX) Be in Your Portfolio Wednesday? - InvestorsObserver - November 24th, 2023
- Where Does Cassava Sciences Inc (SAVA) Stock Fall in the Biotechnology Field After It Has Fallen -1.24% This Week? - InvestorsObserver - November 24th, 2023
- Where Does Kalvista Pharmaceuticals Inc (KALV) Stock Fall in the Biotechnology Field After It Is Lower By -1.04% This Week? - InvestorsObserver - November 24th, 2023
- Should Biotechnology Stock Theravance Biopharma Inc (TBPH) Be in Your Portfolio Thursday? - InvestorsObserver - April 23rd, 2023
- Where Will Sana Biotechnology Inc (SANA) Stock Go Next After It Is Down 1.35% in a Week? - InvestorsObserver - April 23rd, 2023
- Where Does Novo Nordisk A/S (NVO) Stock Fall in the Biotechnology Field After It Has Fallen -1.71% This Week? - InvestorsObserver - April 23rd, 2023
- Where Does Seagen Inc (SGEN) Stock Fall in the Biotechnology Field After It Is Lower By -0.81% This Week? - InvestorsObserver - April 23rd, 2023
- MSc Admissions at Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology, Bengaluru - Mathrubhumi English - April 23rd, 2023
- What is Biotechnology? Definition, Types and Applications | TechTarget - March 28th, 2023
- Biotechnology | FAO | Food and Agriculture Organization of the United ... - March 28th, 2023
- What is Biotechnology? Types and Applications - Iberdrola - March 28th, 2023
- Should Biotechnology Stock Checkpoint Therapeutics Inc (CKPT) Be in Your Portfolio Monday? - InvestorsObserver - March 28th, 2023
- Where Does IGM Biosciences Inc (IGMS) Stock Fall in the Biotechnology Field After It Has Fallen -1.80% This Week? - InvestorsObserver - March 28th, 2023
- Is Day One Biopharmaceuticals Inc (DAWN) Stock at the Top of the Biotechnology Industry? - InvestorsObserver - March 28th, 2023
- Where Does Jasper Therapeutics Inc (JSPR) Stock Fall in the Biotechnology Field After It Has Risen 3.16% This Week? - InvestorsObserver - March 28th, 2023
- Is Evaxion Biotech A/S - ADR (EVAX) a Leader in the Biotechnology Industry? - InvestorsObserver - February 14th, 2023
- Where Does Oncolytics Biotech Inc (ONCY) Stock Fall in the Biotechnology Field After It Has Risen 1.72% This Week? - InvestorsObserver - February 14th, 2023
- Where Does Surrozen Inc (SRZN) Stock Fall in the Biotechnology Field After It Is Up 59.74% This Week? - InvestorsObserver - February 14th, 2023
- International Biotechnology Trust's Investment Manager to Focus on Core Healthcare Business - Marketscreener.com - February 14th, 2023
- Where Does Ocugen Inc (OCGN) Stock Fall in the Biotechnology Field After It Is Lower By -14.73% This Week? - InvestorsObserver - February 14th, 2023
- Is Protagonist Therapeutics Inc (PTGX) a Smart Choice in Biotechnology Friday? - InvestorsObserver - February 14th, 2023
- Where Does Kiora Pharmaceuticals Inc (KPRX) Stock Fall in the Biotechnology Field After It Has Risen 33.24% This Week? - InvestorsObserver - February 14th, 2023
- Where Does Novavax Inc (NVAX) Stock Fall in the Biotechnology Field After It Is Up 0.46% This Week? - InvestorsObserver - February 14th, 2023
- City of Vacaville Introduces Next Generation to Biotechnology and Advanced Manufacturing - Financial Post - February 6th, 2023
- Is Incyte Corporation (INCY) Stock at the Top of the Biotechnology Industry? - InvestorsObserver - February 6th, 2023
- Where Does Catalyst Pharmaceuticals Inc (CPRX) Stock Fall in the Biotechnology Field After It Is Down -3.88% This Week? - InvestorsObserver - February 6th, 2023
- Where Does Summit Therapeutics Inc (SMMT) Stock Fall in the Biotechnology Field After It Is Up 8.63% This Week? - InvestorsObserver - February 6th, 2023
- Where Does Compass Therapeutics Inc. (CMPX) Stock Fall in the Biotechnology Field After It Is Down -2.89% This Week? - InvestorsObserver - February 6th, 2023
- Should You Be Impressed By Puma Biotechnology, Inc.'s (NASDAQ:PBYI) ROE? - Simply Wall St - January 21st, 2023
- Where Does Palisade Bio Inc (PALI) Stock Fall in the Biotechnology Field After It Is Lower By -11.27% This Week? - InvestorsObserver - January 21st, 2023
- Is Autolus Therapeutics PLC (AUTL) Stock at the Top of the Biotechnology Industry? - InvestorsObserver - January 21st, 2023
- Where Does Edesa Biotech Inc (EDSA) Stock Fall in the Biotechnology Field After It Has Fallen -39.16% This Week? - InvestorsObserver - January 21st, 2023
- Where Does Vaxcyte Inc (PCVX) Stock Fall in the Biotechnology Field After It Has Fallen -7.21% This Week? - InvestorsObserver - January 12th, 2023
- Where Does CytomX Therapeutics Inc (CTMX) Stock Fall in the Biotechnology Field After It Is Up 61.68% This Week? - InvestorsObserver - January 12th, 2023
- Where Does Vyant Bio Inc (VYNT) Stock Fall in the Biotechnology Field After It Is Up 36.36% This Week? - InvestorsObserver - January 12th, 2023
- Is CTI BioPharma Corp (CTIC) Stock at the Top of the Biotechnology Industry? - InvestorsObserver - January 12th, 2023
- Where Does Jaguar Health Inc (JAGX) Stock Fall in the Biotechnology Field After It Has Gained 22.22% This Week? - InvestorsObserver - January 12th, 2023
- Where Does Geron Corporation (GERN) Stock Fall in the Biotechnology Field After It Has Gained 9.09% This Week? - InvestorsObserver - January 12th, 2023
- Is OncoSec Medical Inc (ONCS) Stock at the Top of the Biotechnology Industry? - InvestorsObserver - January 12th, 2023
- What is Biotechnology? Master of Biotechnology - January 4th, 2023
- Where Does Chemomab Therapeutics Ltd - ADR (CMMB) Stock Fall in the Biotechnology Field After It Has Gained 52.97% This Week? - InvestorsObserver - January 4th, 2023
- Should Biotechnology Stock Galera Therapeutics Inc (GRTX) Be in Your Portfolio Wednesday? - InvestorsObserver - January 4th, 2023
- Where Does 180 Life Sciences Corp (ATNF) Stock Fall in the Biotechnology Field After It Is Lower By -26.07% This Week? - InvestorsObserver - January 4th, 2023
- Is Adaptive Biotechnologies Corp (ADPT) Stock at the Top of the Biotechnology Industry? - InvestorsObserver - January 4th, 2023
- Is ImmunoGen, Inc. (IMGN) Stock at the Top of the Biotechnology Industry? - InvestorsObserver - January 4th, 2023
- Is DBV Technologies SA - ADR (DBVT) Stock at the Top of the Biotechnology Industry? - InvestorsObserver - January 4th, 2023
- Does PDS Biotechnology Corp (PDSB) Have What it Takes to be in Your Portfolio Wednesday? - InvestorsObserver - December 27th, 2022
- Where Does Intercept Pharmaceuticals Inc (ICPT) Stock Fall in the Biotechnology Field After It Is Lower By -10.50% This Week? - InvestorsObserver - December 27th, 2022
- Where Does Merrimack Pharmaceuticals Inc (MACK) Stock Fall in the Biotechnology Field After It Has Fallen -10.39% This Week? - InvestorsObserver - December 27th, 2022
- Where Does Compass Therapeutics Inc. (CMPX) Stock Fall in the Biotechnology Field After It Is Higher By 2.68% This Week? - InvestorsObserver - December 27th, 2022
- Where Does Allogene Therapeutics Inc (ALLO) Stock Fall in the Biotechnology Field After It Is Lower By -19.38% This Week? - InvestorsObserver - December 27th, 2022
- Where Does Oramed Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (ORMP) Stock Fall in the Biotechnology Field After It Is Higher By 11.42% This Week? - InvestorsObserver - December 27th, 2022
- Is Calithera Biosciences Inc (CALA) Stock at the Top of the Biotechnology Industry? - InvestorsObserver - December 27th, 2022
- The Future of Biotechnology in Japan BIO - December 18th, 2022