What is biotechnology?

Biotechnology, in its most general meaning, is the use of biologic processes to create a product for human use and benefit. Today, when people use the term biotechnology, we usually think they mean the application of modern methods of manipulation of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid), the genetic information of an organism, to make a product. In fact, biotechnology is ancient, providing the basis for making a wide range of products, including bread, cheese, beer, and wine. These early forms of biotechnology relied on fermentation, the breakdown by microorganisms of organic molecules, particularly sugars, into simpler compounds, often CO2 (carbon dioxide). In practice, fermentation involves holding the material under conditions that allow the microorganisms to increase in number, and to change the original material through chemical reactions inside the cells. The starting material in fermentation can be bread dough, made of flour, water, and yeast, or grape juice plus yeast.