A branch of science with great future

Biotechnology is the science of the 21st century. This is one science where gradual and subtle transformations of science into technology can be witnessed. Biotechnology is an interdisciplinary subject with a wide ranging applications of scientific and engineering principles in different fields such as food, medicine, agriculture which are of profound benefit to mankind.

Biotechnology is an applied science. It has made progress in leaps and bounds in major areas sucsh as Molecular Biology, Genetic Engineering, Animal Tissue Culture, Plant Tissue Culture, Vaccine etc.

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One of the major thrusts of Biotechnology has been in the field of Genetic Engineering. It involves manipulating the DNA leading to cloning and recombinant DNA technology. This major breakthrough in biotechnology has made it possible for us to clone animals, the first and the most famous example being the well acclaimed �Dolly�, the first cloned mammal.

Genetic engineering has also helped us to introduce the gene of interest into an individual to help one overcome any kind of disorders.

The contribution of Biotechnology in the field of Agriculture is quite amazing. It has given us tomatoes which do not ripen fast and as a result can have a long shelf life. It has also given us drought resistant varieties of wheat and rice, seedless varieties of fruits and enriched vegetables.

In the fields of medicine, food and health the significance is no less. It has helped us overcome many of the diseases by making it possible for us to have gene therapies, vaccine, diagnostic kits and so on. Edible vaccine, a concept which was a dream till yesterday, is a reality today.

Today, there are endless advances being made in biotechnology. The world over, scientists are trying to fight Hepatitis B by embedding the vaccine into fruits like apple, banana, tomato so that one could avoid the painful process of injections. Efforts are also on to get vaccine in the form of body creams and lotions so that they can be directly absorbed through the skin. Soluble sutures which save the patients the trauma of suture removals, artificial heart valves, edible vaccine, biodegradable plastics, genetically engineered microbes to degrade animal/human wastes have all been possible today, thanks to advances in biotechnology.

Biotechnology holds immense potential for both research and career in the years to come. Indeed, its a branch of science with great future.