Increasing Demand for Biofuels, Genetic Engineering, and Cost-Effective and Economically Beneficial Agriculture Systems to Boost Importance of Biotechnology
Biotechnology is a vast array of technologies, such as genetic engineering, bacteriology and synthetic biology that change living organisms, or pieces of organisms, into various new types or products; grow plants or animals; create microorganisms for specific industrial uses; or grow and develop bacteria for pharmaceutical applications. These biological applications of science are broadly categorized into three areas: agriculture, industry and the environment. Agriculture biotechnology advances the breeding and development of crops for market distribution, increasing food production; reduces the use of pesticides and other chemicals; and improves soil and water quality through improved irrigation, pest control, and fertilizer management.
Biotechnology is also important in the environment, particularly in the growing of biofuels, such as ethanol and biodiesel. This has led to increasing investment in biofuels. For instance, in May 2020, the U.S. Department of Agriculture offered a US$ 100 million grant to expand the availability and sale of higher blends of ethanol. Green biotechnology seeks to improve the ecological impact of agricultural and industrial processes by using and conservation of natural resources. This can reduce chemical and pesticide use, while increasing soil fertility and quality through organic gardening, reforesting, and plant nutrition. Another focus of green biotechnology is to improve the human health and the quality of life through the enhancement of food and feed production, energy production and distribution, and research and development. Green techniques can also decrease environmental pollution through reuse and recycling of agricultural and industrial waste, energy efficiency and renewable energy sources.
Biotechnology organizations promote the use of biotechnology in the agriculture, industry and the environment. They educate the public and strengthen scientific research to better understand and control the impacts of biotechnology. In the field of agriculture, biotechnology organizations work towards developing cost-effective and economically beneficial agriculture systems. They focus on the use of genetic tools to deliver desirable traits to plants and animals in ways that are compatible with their natural environment. These traits can be passed on to other plants or animals.
Biotechnology organizations also work towards developing crops that are free of dangerous pests and diseases that threaten to destroy the agricultural production. They focus on the use of insecticides and antibiotics to control potentially threatening grasses and weeds, as well as on improved pest and disease management through the registration and labeling of products. The principles of biotechnology that these organizations work towards include the use of animals and plants only for the defined purposes indicated in their growing environment. They also refrain from the use of living organisms in any part of the production or handling process except where it is necessary to maintain sterility and maintain crop health. They also ensure compliance with the policies and regulations set forth by the USDA (Food and Drug Administration).
Biotechnology organizations have developed genetically engineered (GE) crops that have the desirable traits for the agricultural market. An example of a GE crop is the so-called Bt Corn. Although Bt Corn has some of the desired features for bumper crops, critics argue that although the technology has been deemed safe by independent research, studies by the FDA have found residues of herbicide and pesticide residues in the meat of treated cows.
Biotechnology organizations have also developed and enhanced the yields of conventional crops through genetic engineering techniques. This includes the production of greater quantities of wheat with improved yields of barley and cotton with resistance against insects and soil pathogen attacks. Several crops now produced via this technique are now providing bumper crops to areas previously not thought to be able to support such an industry.
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