Biotechnology

What is Biotechnology?
Biotechnology is the alteration of living organisms to develop or
make products that help us. This is quite a broad definition and so
many different organisms or processes are involved.
What do we mainly use biotechnology?
Crops directly feed us or animals we keep for food. They are
commonly cereals, fruit, and vegetables. We can change (or modify)
crops in two key ways - selective breeding and genetic modification.
Methods of Biotechnology
Genetic Modification. Scientists can now identify the genes in some
species that control some characteristics. These genes can be removed
using enzymes and inserted into the genome of other species. The
organism that has been modified is called transgenic.
Selective Breeding. It occurs when animals or plants with a desirable
characteristic are selected to breed with each other. Because of
inheritance, their offspring are likely to have the desired
characteristic. Over generations these characteristics have become
enhanced.