Biotechnology is the use of biological processes to help solve problems in the world. Through the use of living cells, biotechnology enables the efficient production of various useful products. Biotechnology spans many different fields, from immunology, to renewable energy, to agriculture. Biotechnology products are everywhere around us; Around the world, over 10 million farmers use agricultural biotechnology products to improve yields and reduce environmental impact. By studying how viruses infect human cells, biotechnicians are finding cures for deadly diseases such as Ebola and Lassa fever. Biotechnology has produced strains of bacteria that can produce diesel fuel, providing us with a renewable energy source, and other strains that consume it, useful in cleaning up oil spills. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Although biotechnology is often seen as an emerging field, it actually began around 8000 BC, when humans began domesticating plants and animals. Biotechnology as we know it today, with a focus on cellular structures and microorganisms, was made possible by the discovery of cells in the 17th century. As science progressed in its understanding of cells, proteins, and genes, biotechnology also progressed in its ability to harness these systems to improve our quality of life. In 1953, biologists James Watson and Francis Crick discovered the double helix structure of DNA. From this discovery, we were able to begin sequencing genes and determining the functions of specific genes within a genome. Due to the universality of the genetic code, a well-known function of biotechnology is to improve the efficiency of the production of biological materials. In one plant, for example, a chemical treatment against malaria was discovered. Until recently, the only way to isolate the chemical was to spend years breeding and growing the plants, then harvesting them and extracting the cure. Recently, however, biotechnologists discovered the gene that codes for a chemical and introduced it into a species of bacteria. The bacteria can be grown in the laboratory much faster and much cheaper than the plant in which the cure was originally found, making the cure more accessible to malaria patients. One of the most amazing things about biotechnology is its nearly infinite possibilities. Our understanding of the genetic code allows us to use living cells to isolate genes and produce any known protein. In fact, if there were a protein for which for some reason we could not isolate the gene that codes for it, scientists could synthesize nucleic acids in the laboratory and create their own strand of DNA that codes for the protein in question. These can include anything from antifreeze in many insect species to incredibly strong and lightweight spider silk. Human technology is rarely able to surpass its naturally occurring counterparts. We have yet to build a computer with more power than the human brain; Whale fins are even more efficient than our boat propellers. Biotechnology allows us to use tools already present in nature, rather than trying to reinvent them. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom article from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay Another exciting part of biotechnology is the ability to: As a professional, change your world for the better. Whether it's treating illnesses,.