The scope of modern biotechnology

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