What is Biotechnology?
Biotechnology is the combined study of scientific principles and technology, to manipulate biological systems, or components of their organisms as a way to develop various products. Due to the recent developing study of genetic engineering, biotechnology and its use has rapidly expanded, covering many different disciplines (genetics, molecular biology, etc.). While most consider biotechnology to be a medical advancement, this industry has been able to spread out more vastly, influencing the world of agriculture, production of textiles, food innovations, and even marine wildlife.
What is Biomimicry?
Biomimicry is a design approach that can be applied to any technology (including biotechnology), regarded as the ‘imitation of living’. It takes aspects of natural selection and integrates them into human engineering, for the general use of society. All organisms on earth - plants, animals, microorganisms - are engineers who have learned the ‘secret’ to survival, by developing and evolving for 3.8 billion years. This basic idea helps prompt biomimicry, putting nature’s lessons into real practice.
Applications & Examples of Biomimicry.
Biomimicry (similar to biotechnology) can be utilized in many different aspects of society: economy, architecture, urban planning, agriculture, industry, medicine, research, management, etc. The amount of areas in which biomimicry could be applied is hypothetically a never ending list, as it is a concept rather than an innovation. To some extent, Biomimicry can be presumed as a “philosophy” or a principle that challenges modern use of Earth’s resources, aiming for a more balanced future. A few of the most simple applications of biomimicry in history have been the creation of the airplane, which was inspired by flying pigeons, and the application of burdock seed hooks, to help prompt the invention of velcro. However, a deeper exploration of biomimicry reveals its impressive foundation in passive cooling structures, inspired by termite bounds, and the study of deriving fresh water from fog, through dung beetle shell structures.
References
Eddie Phillips. “BIOMIMICRY IS REAL WORLD INSPIRATION.” Carnegie Museum of Natural History, carnegiemnh.org/biomimicry-is-real-world-inspiration/#:~:text=Perhaps%20the%20most%20famous%20example,of%20hundreds%20of%20tiny%20hooks. Accessed 7 Jan. 2024.
“What Is Biomimicry? Definition and Examples of Biomimicry.” Youmatter, 13 Feb. 2020, youmatter.world/en/definition/definitions-what-is-biomimicry-definition-examples/#:~:text=Biomimicry%20(literally%3A%20imitation%20of%20the,best%20and%20what%20doesn%27t.
“What Is Biotechnology.” NTNU, www.ntnu.edu/ibt/about-us/what-is-biotechnology#:~:text=Biotechnology%20is%20technology%20that%20utilizes,to%20produce%20the%20desired%20product). Accessed 7 Jan. 2024.
“What Is Biotechnology?: Definition, Types & Applications.” Toppr, 29 Oct. 2021, www.toppr.com/guides/biology/biotechnology/#:~:text=1.,and%20marine%20biotechnology%20(%20blue).
Comments