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biotechnology — English
The technique of using living organisms, or components (such as enzymes) derived from living organisms, to produce new materials or to degrade (exterminate) existing unwanted organic substances. The biological control of micro-organisms or insects that destroy crops and harvests is a very important branch of science nowadays. It is often more environmentally friendly and far cheaper to use a natural organism or organically derived substance to control or destroy insects or pests that destroy crops. The use of artificial insecticides and herbicides is expensive and environmentally unsound as many organisms that do no damage to crops might also – directly or indirectly – be destroyed. Furthermore, organisms develop an immunity to insecticides, which leaves us with no defence against them. However, all biotechnology is not aimed at destroying organisms; it is also used extensively in the development of new, resistant, high-production species of crop plants and in the development of new beneficial medicinal compounds and preparations.
