ADVANTAGES OF

BIOTECHNOLOGY
DEFINITION OF BIOTECHNOLOGY

• The term is largely believed to be coined by Hungarian engineer, Karoly Ereky in 1919.

• Any technological application that uses biological systems, living organisms, or derivatives thereof, to make or modify products
or processes for specific use (UN Convention on Biological Diversity)
• Biotechnology is a field made up of many interlinked areas of research.
AGRICULTURE
• Also known as Green Biotechnology
• Has been around since humans started farming.
• Began by manipulation of plants and animals through selective breeding for certain traits and also
to enhance them.
• During the 20th century, through further development of plant breeding, crops with increased yield,
pest, drought and herbicide resistance were produced.
• The nutritional value of existing foods can also be increased by introducing specific genes.
• E.g: Golden Rice – psy (phytoene synthase) from daffodil (N. pseudonarcissus) and crtl (carotene
desaturase) from bacteria (E. uredovora) were added for synthesis of beta
carotene.
• Hunger and malnutrition can be resolved with this rice.
• Farmers can practice sustainable farming – plant seeds without tilling soil
- saves 21.1 billion kilos of CO2 = 9.4 million cars
Golden
Rice