Biotechnology of future

Processes related to biotechnology, have accompanied man since ancient times. Such activities as growing crops, and making bread or wine are examples of the fact that, despite our lack of awareness, our distant ancestors were already in contact with biotechnology. What exactly is biotechnology? It is a scientific discipline that deals with the use of organisms (and viruses) or substances produced by them for practical purposes. It can be divided into traditional biotechnology, which uses naturally occurring organisms, viruses and the substances they produce, and molecular biotechnology, which uses organisms and viruses with modified genetic material. Currently, biotechnology is an elite, spontaneously growing part of economy. However, it is not easy to predict future discoveries based on the field's past achievements. Biological technology has the potential to change many aspects of human life and will transform it in ways we cannot imagine.

Biotechnology is used in a wide variety of areas of life such as agriculture, medicine, water use, industry, and legal and social activities. It is a huge part of our daily lives, from the clothes we wear, the food we eat, the medicines we use to stay healthy, and even the fuel we use. Biotechnology already plays and will continue to play an invaluable role in meeting our needs. Perhaps it is the answer to the question of how to deal with an ageing population? How to improve health care and its affordability? How to combat climate change and energy shortages?

In the field of healthcare, biotechnology is already benefiting more than 460 million patients worldwide through the use of biotech drugs to treat and prevent everyday and chronic diseases. The biotech drug market is growing rapidly. In 2004 it was 20 per cent, and in 2010 it reached 50 per cent, representing a gigantic turnover of hundreds of billions of dollars.

Industrial biotechnology is helping in the fight against global warming as an alternative and safer form of global energy instead of dwindling and unstable fossil fuels. It has led to significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, with a goal of reducing 2.5 billion tons of CO2 equivalent per year by 2030.

Agricultural biotechnology helps reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions while producing food with fewer toxins. It also offers new, improved and adapted agricultural crops that reduce poverty and can increase food security for a growing global population.

Biotechnology certainly offers many opportunities to change the world for the better, although it should not be forgotten that it can become a double-edged sword. Predictions for the future are optimistic, however, research into the efficacy of new methods carries great costs, making the major centres of biotechnology the world's superpowers.

Sources:

• https://nazdrowie.pl/leki-biotechnologiczne/

• https://ckgroup.co.uk/candidate/biotechnology/next-steps-in-your-biotech-career/the-future-of-biotechnology/

• https://www.nature.com/articles/s41587-021-00872-0

• http://laboratoria.net/baza-wiedzy/20106.html