Biotechnology Origin,Definition and Old Biotechnology Vs New Biotechnology

Biotechnology Origin,Definition and Old Biotechnology Vs New Biotechnology - The origin of biotechnology can be traced back to prehistoric times, when microorganisms were already used for processes like fermentation. Although a molecular biologist may consider cloning of DNA to be the most important event in the history of biotechnology, the latter has actually been rediscovered in 1970's for the third time during the present century.

In 1920's Clostridium acetobutylicum was used by Chaim Weizmann for converting starch into butanol and acetone; the latter was an essential component of explosives during World War I. This raised hopes for commercial production of useful chemicals through biological processes, and may be considered as the first rediscovery of biotechnology in the present century.

Similarly, during World War II (in 1940's), the production of penicillin (as an antibiotic discovered by Alexander Fleming in 1929) on a large scale from cultures of Pencillium notatum, marked the second rediscovery of biotechnology. This was the beginning of an era of antibiotic research.

The third rediscovery of biotechnology is its recent reincarnation in the form of recombinant - DNA technology, which led to the development of a variety of gene technologies and is thus considered to be the greatest scientific evolution of this century. Thus, even though biotechnology had its origin 10 the past, it has assumed special significance only in 1970's and 1980's.

Biotechnology, as word indicates, is the product of interaction between the science of biology and technology. This relationship between science and technology has been observed to be complex, so that not only the science has influenced technology, but the technology has also influenced technology.

Because of this complex relationship and its major impact on human welfare, it is believed that biotechnology in future may become a major force for human existence.

Already, the products of biotechnology (including, diagnosis, prevention and cure of eases; new and cheaper chemical products e.g. pharmaceutical drugs and the new food sources devices for environment protection and energy conservation, etc.) are playing a very important role in employment, productivity, trade, economies and the quality of human life throughout the world.

Biotechnology, being such an important area of study, attempts have been made to define it. It has been recognized that a complete definition of biotechnology is difficult due to such a wide range of its usage.

Fermentation, by some microorganisms, formation of yoghurt (curd) and cheese from milk and that of vinegar from molasses, production of antibiotics like penicillin from certain fungi and the processes of baking and brewing are often included in describing what is called old biotechnology.

The other examples of biological processes involving the techniques of recombinant DNA and polymerase chain reaction (PCR), cell culture and fusion and bioprocessing which became possible only through the researches in molecular biology have been described as new biotechnology (according to OTA i.e. Office of Technology Assessment).

However, in recent literature, no effort is made to distinguish between old and new biotechnology. Following are some of the available definitions of biotechnology, and one of them may be really adequate.

(1) Biotechnology is the application of biological organisms, system  or process to manufacturing and service industries" (British or processes to manufacturing and Biotechnologist.

(2) Biotechnology is the integrated use of biochemistry, microbiology, and engineering sciences in order to achieve technological (industrial) application of the capabilities of micro-organisms, cultured tissue cells and parts thereof' (European Federation of Biotechnology).

(3) Biotechnology is a technology using biological phenomena for copying and manufacturing various kinds of useful substances" (Japenese Biotechnologists)

(4) Biotechnology is the controlled use of biological agents, such as microorganisms or cellular components, for beneficial use (US National Science Foundation).

The last definition is brief and comprehensive and may be used by students, if they have to learn only one definition.