Biotechnology is the use of living organisms or living cells for production of products from them for the benefit of mankind. In recent days, biotechnology is becoming a burning topic in public because of its potentiality in altering and improving the genetic heritage of agricultural crops, plantation crops, trees, farm animals and even human beings. "Terminator gene" and "Bt gene" concepts have already made headlines in India. Biotechnology is defined as "the applications of biological organisms,systems or processes to manufacturing and services industries". For example the use of bullock carts is the practice of biotechnology. But due to development in Science and Technology, the concept of biotechnology has now become narrower. Now the term isrestricted to the genetic material with successful insertion of foreign DNA in a host organism. Biotechnology, a state of the art technology, now includes rDNA technology, tissue culture, cell culture, protoplast fusion, hybridoma technology, monoclonalantibodies, interferons, embryo rescue technology, enzyme and protein engineering, cryopreservation, germplasm conservation, fermentation, bioconversion and immobilization of cells and cellular products and gene marking. Biotechnology has made rapid strides in manipulation of genetic make up of an organism. Scientists have already designed microbes to manufacture dozens of potentially invaluable substances.
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