Short for biotechnology, the field that uses biological systems, organisms, or derivatives to develop products and technologies for various applications. It encompasses areas like genetic engineering, pharmaceuticals, and agricultural improvements.
Formed from 'bio-' (from Greek 'bios' meaning 'life') and 'tech' (shortened from 'technology', from Greek 'techne' meaning 'craft' or 'art'). The term emerged in the 1970s as genetic engineering and molecular biology became commercially viable.
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