Biotechnology Essay

Biotechnology is the use of both cellular and biomolecular processes to createnew technology and products that will help improve the lives of people as well as the health of the planet. These improvements include combating disease through the creation of new treatments and drugs, developing renewable fuels, reducing the environmental impact of humans on the planet, and increasing the productivity of farms and other agricultural applications. This idea of using cells and fundamental processes of DNA and other genetic mutations to improve life is not a new concept; it began thousands of years ago, and will continue to work towards new goals in the future.

In the early years of biotechnology,amateur biotechnologists, had no idea their ideas would snowball into incredible modern discoveries. Early discoveries included the processes of fermentation, pasteurization, and zymotechnology. The products of these processes are wine, cheese, and beer; all of which contributed significantly to the gross national product of their respective countries. However, it wasn’t until the discovery of the structure of DNA by Watson and Crick in 1953, that genetics and biotechnology would be linked together to explain so many of these discoveries.

Today, there are over two hundred and fifty healthcare products for people with countless diseases, who only a few hundred years ago, would have died from the same condition. The race towards renewable energy has benefitted from biotechnology, as over fifty bio refineries are in the process of testing refining technologies to produce renewable fuels and reduce the emission of greenhouse gases. Millions off farmers are using modern biotechnology to increase the number of crops they gain, as well as protect their...

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...esearchers to collect data, test theories, and confirm results.

The future of biotechnology can be seen as one that is relatively safe and guaranteed. Because the industry is constantly focused on the future, as long as there are always new innovations and goals to work towards (like cures for diseases and renewable energy sources), the industry will remain to be a key part of the United States and global economies. When looking at future forecasts for this industry, it is no wonder that venture capitalists, private investors and universities are looking to grant or invest large sums of capital to these firms; biotechnology products accounted for 21% of the total 714 billion dollars in the global market for prescription drugs in 2012, and is expected to grow to 25% by 2018. This substantial growth forecasted in a risky stock is what helps keep our economy healthy.