Biotechnology is a scientific concept defined as any technological application that uses biological systems, living organisms, or their derivatives to make or modify products or processes for specific uses. The term was coined by Hungarian agricultural engineer Károly Ereky in 1919 to describe the conversion of raw materials into useful products using living organisms. While its traditional application, such as fermentation for making bread and beer, dates back millennia, the field was revolutionized by the discovery of DNA's 3D structure in the 1950s.
Modern biotechnology primarily works through genetic engineering, which involves modifying an organism's genetic material to achieve a desired trait. The core mechanism is Recombinant DNA (rDNA) technology, which requires isolating a gene of interest, cutting it with enzymes like restriction endonucleases, and then joining it with a vector (like a plasmid) using DNA ligase to create the rDNA molecule. This rDNA is then transferred into a host cell to produce valuable products like drugs, biofuels, or genetically modified crops.
In India, the field is promoted and governed by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), established in 1986 under the Ministry of Science and Technology. The regulation of genetically modified organisms falls under the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC), a statutory body operating under the Environment Protection Act, 1986. It also connects to institutions like the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).
The sector has seen a major recent change with the Union Cabinet's approval of the BioE3 Policy (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment and Employment) on August 24, 2024. This policy aims to grow India's bioeconomy to nearly $300 billion by 2030 and focuses on high-performance biomanufacturing. It establishes a network of enablers called "मूलांकुर" (Moolankur), which includes Bio-AI Hubs and biofoundries, to accelerate technology development in areas like precision biotherapeutics and climate-resilient agriculture. While the new policy provides a strategic framework for growth, the regulatory oversight by the GEAC under the Environment Protection Act, 1986, remains the current legal mechanism for product approval.