Biotechnology uses living cells and their molecules to make useful products.

Biotechnology is used to make medicines to treat disease, vaccines to help prevent disease, and to develop diagnostic tests that detect disease. Biotechnology helps doctors and researchers understand why some people develop diseases, like heart disease, and others don’t.

Biotechnology is used to produce better plants and enhanced crops that are more resistant to insects and harsh weather.

Biotechnology is used to produce alternative fuels, such as bioethanol, and microorganisms to clean up oil spills. Biotechnology also is used to produce industrial enzymes, like those used to make “stone-washed” jeans and “green” cleaning products.

There are numerous industries using biotechnology every day. These include pharmaceuticals, agriculture, brewing and distilling, food manufacturing, apparel, plastics and more.