biotechnology

Noun

biotechnology (usually uncountable, plural biotechnologies)

1. (usually) The use of living organisms (especially microorganisms) in industrial, agricultural, medical and other technological applications.
   • Japan's strength lies in more traditional biotechnology such as fermentation.1988, New Zealand Department of Trade and Industry, Biotechnology in New Zealand—A Business Perspective, page 8
   • The developments in biotechnology, particularly with the basic understanding of genetics, immunology, biochemistry, biochemical engineering and molecular biology, have paved the way for major biotechnology products and processes and have provided tools to the manufacturing and service industry.2003, Mabju Sharma, Renu Swarup, “The Way Ahead - The New Technology in an Old Society”, in T. K. Ghose, P. Ghosh, editors, Biotechnology in India I, page 5
2. (usually) The application of the principles and practices of engineering and technology to the life sciences.
   • Agricultural biotechnology comprises a collection of scientific techniques, including genetic engineering, that are used to modify and improve plants, animals and microorganisms for human profit. Agricultural biotechnologies are not a substitute for conventional plant and animal breeding, but can...2002, Charles Spillane, Yvonne Pinto, “1: Biosafety in Agrcultural Biotechnology: Balancing Social and Environmental Impacts”, in Timothy M. Swanson, editor, The Economics of Managing...
   • The result of study 3 suggests that the factor of bioethics is important not only for the acceptance of biotechnologies themselves, such as gene recombination technology and clone technology, but also the acceptance of foods and products which are produced by the use of biotechnologies.2008, Yutaka Tanaka, Attitude toward Bioethics and Acceptance of Biotechnology, William G. Flynne (editor), Biotechnology and Bioengineering, page 175
3. (usually) genetic engineering