Biotechnology was formally defined in 1992 by the United Nations, within the framework of the Convention on Biological Diversity, as any technology that uses living organisms, parts of them, or biological systems to create or modify products or processes for a specific purpose.
Although this definition is relatively recent, the concept itself dates back over a century. In 1919, agricultural engineer Károly Ereky proposed that biology could be used to transform raw materials into useful products. He was the first to combine the words “biology” and “technology”, coining the term “biotechnology”.
Today, this discipline is broadly categorised into five main fields: human, environmental, industrial, animal, and plant biotechnology. Each of these areas contributes to addressing global challenges such as hunger and disease, improving the safety and efficiency of production processes, reducing environmental impact, and optimising energy use. In recent years, investment and job creation in the sector have grown significantly, highlighting biotechnology’s key role in the global economy, technological innovation, and the transition towards sustainable development.
A Decade of Milestones
The manipulation of DNA marked a turning point in the history of biotechnology, distinguishing between traditional and modern biotechnology. Today, both approaches are combined, and their synergy has led to remarkable progress in the field over the past decade.
One of the most significant advances in recent years has been the consolidation of the CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing technique. Owing to its simplicity and effectiveness, researchers began correcting disease-causing genes in human and animal cells. In 2017, the first clinical initiatives were launched to explore its use in hereditary conditions, laying the groundwork for a new era in gene therapy.
However, the year in which biotechnology played an absolutely pivotal role was 2020, during the global pandemic. The rapid development and deployment of COVID-19 vaccines stands as one of the most important milestones in modern biotechnology. Vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna, based on messenger RNA technology, are a clear example of years of biotechnological research brought to fruition.
Awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry that same year, biotechnology has also had a major impact on areas such as climate-resilient crop improvement. As climate change forces a rethink of production models across all sectors, biotechnology has become an essential tool for achieving more sustainable agriculture and a more efficient food industry. Moreover, the 2020 Global Bioeconomy Summit report highlights biotechnology’s potential to deliver sustainable solutions without compromising economic growth.
Cultivated Meat: Biotechnology’s Sustainable Revolution
In the food sector, biotechnology has been instrumental in the development of alternative proteins.
In December 2020, Singapore became the first country to approve the commercial sale of cultivated meat, a historic milestone, as food produced without live animals reached the market for the first time. One year later, this food innovation began its initial rollout in the United States. By June 2023, following regulatory approval from the FDA and EFSA, cultivated meat entered the market definitively.
Having evolved from a scientific curiosity to a real consumer option, cultivated meat has also gained traction in countries such as Brazil, which are embracing the future of food. According to a 2023 report by the FAO and WHO, foods derived from cultivated cells represent a promising pathway for reducing the environmental footprint of conventional meat production while ensuring global food security.
Europe, although more cautious, is also moving forward with the development of clear regulations that ensure both food safety and consumer transparency.
Public Perception and the Road Ahead
Biotechnology is not only evolving in laboratories, it is also increasingly present in the public consciousness. As scientific breakthroughs translate into tangible products, engaging with society has become more crucial than ever. The latest Eurobarometer on science and technology shows that 83% of Europeans believe science and technology have a positive impact on their daily lives.
In short, biotechnology is no longer a promise of the future, it is a transformative force in the present. Over the past ten years, it has redefined how we treat diseases, grow our food, and understand the role of science in everyday life. At BioTech Foods, we are proud to be part of this revolution, developing innovative solutions such as cultivated meat, a new way to feed the world with responsibility and forward-thinking vision.
