1. Biotechnology

2. Biotechnology • Biotechnology refers to various techniques that use living organisms to make products or provide services. • It includes altering the normal genetic make-up of organisms, including viruses, bacteria, plants and animals.

3. Biotechnology Has Been Around Awhile • Breeding animals is an example of simple, less-sophisticated biotechnology that has been around for many years. • Selective breeding is when certain individuals with certain desirable traits are breed to produce offspring with similar traits.

4. Selective Breeding • Selective breading of animals was usually done by isolating a desirable male and female in a contained area during mating periods. • Selective breeding of plants was usually done through pollinating by hand. Desirable male gametes were manually brought into contact with desirable female gametes. • Female gametes were isolated from any other male gametes.

5. Biotechnology Through the Ages • Biotechnology dates back as far as 2000 B.C. • By selecting certain individual plants or animals with desirable characteristics to reproduce, farmers gradually create new genetic combinations over time.

6. Biotechnologies at Work • Yogurt and cheese are not naturally occurring foods. • They are produced with the help of bacteria and fungi that are not naturally found in them.

7. Today’s Biotechnology • With today’s knowledge in cell biology and DNA, biotechnology has specialized into a new area called reproductive technology. • Reproductive technology involves altering the genetic information in the cell’s nucleus to obtain favorable outcomes.

8. Reproductive Technology • Reproductive technologies hold the opportunity to: • increase the world’s food supply, • create new foods, • treat and cure various diseases, • prevent some inherited genetic disorders