ˌbiotechˈnology
[bio-.]
1. The branch of technology concerned with the development and exploitation of machines in relation to the various needs of human beings.
| 1947 Science CV. 217/2 Hours of work, on-the-job feeding, rest periods, etc. are also phases of the physiology of work which form an important part of a comprehensive biotechnology. 1969 Sci. Jrnl. June 50/1 Biotechnology is just as concerned with the provision of tools for medical research as with the development of equipment for medical service. |
2. The branch of technology concerned with modern forms of industrial production utilizing living organisms, esp. micro-organisms, and their biological processes.
| 1972 (title of periodical) Biotechnology and bioengineering symposium. 1975 A. Wiseman (title) Handbook of enzyme biotechnology. 1982 Times 11 May 17/2 Biotechnology appeared to have staked out half a dozen major industries, each of which would be transformed by new manufacturing processes based on cell culture, genetic engineering, or the catalysing powers of enzymes. 1982 Economist 20 Mar. 68/1 More than 200 new biotechnology firms in Europe and America are losing money and are unable to bring new wonder-drugs to the market. Ibid., Insulin is one of the few products which could soon be made commercially by using the latest in biotechnology. 1983 Times 9 June 22/6 Conventional brewing and wine making are not usually regarded as biotechnology but many other fermentation processes are. 1985 I. J. Higgins in I. J. Higgins et al. Biotechnol. i. 2 It is..the discovery of genetic engineering techniques via recombinant DNA technology..which is responsible for the current ‘biotechnology boom’. |
Hence ˌbiotechnoˈlogical a.
| 1947 Science CV. 218/2 Biotechnological functions either are being performed by inadequately or narrowly trained individuals or are neglected entirely. |