SciTech masthead
Home
About Us
Events & Exhibits
Science Fair
Teachers
Sponsors & Exhibitors
Media Room
Year-Round Resource Area

High School Programs SciTech
High School Programs
Middle School Programs

   Back to
   Year-Round Resource Area   
A brief introduction to — Biotechnology

Bio means "Life"
Techno means "Tools"
ology means "the Study of"

Cartoon: Daddy, what's a clone?


Biotechnology is a growing field that includes several types of scientists, such as nutritionists, chemists, agronomists, geneticists and entomologists who work with DNA.

Genetic Engineering is a type of biotechnology which is probably the most talked about in the news. While genetic engineering requires special molecular tools to move genes from one location to the next, biotechnology just means that genes have to change location, usually with the help of a living organism such as a bacterium.

All living things have DNA that contain the secrets of how it is put together. It determines our characteristics and everything else about us.

Some Applications of Biotechnology:
Through the science of Biotechnology, DNA is used to create useful products and tools to help people. Biotechnology was first used to produce bigger and better crops on farms. By working with the DNA structure, farmers could produce crops that were more likely to be successful than if they were growing them completely naturally.

Today, Biotechnology is still used by farmers, but it is also used a great deal by the medical community. By learning about our DNA, doctors can produce medicine and treatments to stop the spread of diseases or treat people who already have a disease. The most extreme uses of DNA and Biotechnology today have to do with attempts to produce clones of animals and even people.

Learn more about the first genetically modified pet — GloFish® (pictured here).

Some important biotechnology terms include:
Clone  •  Life science  •  Genes
Genetic engineering  •  DNA  •  Stem cells

For more information on biotechnology, be sure to visit:
  • Science in the News
  • Helpful Links
  • Related Events
  • Career Resources




  • site search uses Clusty.com 2007 Home   |   Site Map   |   Privacy Statement    |   Copyright   |   Hosted by: Ripple Effects Interactive