What is Biotechnology?

By definition, Biotechnology is the use of living organisms to make products or solve problems. It has been around for as long as we have used fermentation processes to make beverages or raised domesticated farm animals and plants. However, with improved technology and understanding of living cells and how they develop and change, modern biotechnology has created a whole new group of products which include:

• Gardasil (Merck & Co.) – first anti-cancer vaccine
• Humilin (Eli Lilly) – human insulin to treat diabetes
• Lunesta (Sepracor) – to treat insomnia
• Ethanol – generated from farm feedstock to combat the energy crisis
• DNA fingerprinting – to solve crimes
• Drought-resistant crops – to combat famine

If you are interested in biology, chemistry, engineering, or computing and want to make a difference in people’s lives, the environment, and the future, this might be the opportunity for you!