The scope of modern biotechnology

Any attempt to explain the term "modern biotechnology" and to distinguish it from classical biotechnology soon reveals that the boundary is anything but distinct and frequently disappears in a terminological fog. Things only become easy when modern biotechnology can be defined as using the methods and processes of genetic engineering. This is indeed often the case, but not always. Modern biotechnology embracer advances in process engineering as well as new developments in equipment; it depends on monoclonal antibodies and new cell culture techniques, it benefits from advances in embryonal transfer in the animal kingdom and also from cloning; it is taking over large areas of environmental engineering. This list could be continued. Processes of classical biotechnology are always involved in the production of a modern biotechnological product. It is ultimately irrelevant to the engineer whether a fermenter contains genetically engineering microorganisms or not; or to the farmer whether the potatoes he grows are genetically modified or not. There can be no modern biotechnology without classical biotechnology - and the reverse will soon also be true.