Biotechnology
The term ‘Biotechnology’ has come to mean many things to many people.
Wikipedia defines biotechnology as ”The wide concept of "biotech" or "biotechnology" encompasses a wide range of procedures for modifying living organisms according to human purposes, going back to domestication of animals, cultivation of the plants, and "improvements" to these through breeding programs that employ artificial selection and hybridization."
Mankind has been ‘engineering’ crop plants and animals since the beginning of farming and animal domestication.
However the term has more recently been associated increasingly with genetic engineering of crop and animal genomes. The science shows considerable potential and has been embraced by agriculture over much of the world although only to a limited extent in Europe.
Most recently Rothamsted Research has developed a technique for breeding cereal plants which excrete a compound which deters aphids. Other work involves the development of rice which provides vitamin A and plants which produce oils which offer other health benefits.
Optima Excel has considerable experience in the field of Plant Biotechnology and can provide both information and speakers on a wide range of issues that surround this subject.
Call us to see how one of our experts can help you judge the merits and demerits of this technology and how you might be able to gain a better understanding of its risks, rewards and potential.