Scope and Importance of Biotechnology - Biotechnology as explained above has its newest roots in the science of molecular biology and microbiology. Advances in these two areas have been exploited in a variety of ways both for production of industrially important biochemicals (including enzymes) and for basic studies in molecular biology.

Therefore, a new commercial environment has been created, in which many famous scientists including some Nobel Laureates (like Walter Gilbert) opted to work for biotechnology companies. Scores of these companies are created and closed down every year.

In USA, alone there are more than 200 such companies including Genentech, Cetus, Hybritech, Biogen, etc. USA., Japan and Europe are leaders in biotechnology research and development.