Green biotechnology or also known as sustainable or environmental biotechnology, is a branch of science that makes use of living organisms or part of them to develop sustainable and environmental solutions. This is used in agricultural processes, producing improvements in the competitiveness of agricultural, livestock and forestry sectors.
If you want to know more about green biotechnology, do not stop reading this ecology article in which we will explore What is green biotechnology and its applications that has in agricultural processes.
What is green biotechnology
Green biotechnology is a Biotechnology branch that is responsible for everything related to the Agricultural and Environmental Sectoramong the tools that are fundamental for green biotechnology are studies of genetic transformation, bioinformatics, the measurement of genetic variability for pathogenic detection, the use of molecular markers to attend plant genetic improvement, among others.
Green biotechnology has the potential to increase the agricultural productivityimprove the Food security and contribute to Environmental sustainability by reducing dependence on chemical inputs and negative impacts on ecosystems. However, it is important to address ethical and regulatory issues to guarantee the responsible use of these technologies and consider possible side effects on biodiversity and human health.
Objectives of Green Biotechnology
This type of biotechnology aims to seek sustainable solutions in agricultural processes to be able to address the environmental problems that are currently suffering, protecting and preserving the environment, as well as reducing the negative impact of anthropic activities in ecosystems and promoting sustainable practices. Some of the main objectives of green biotechnology are:
- Agricultural sustainability: It seeks to improve agricultural productivity in a sustainable way, developing crops resistant to diseases and pests, reducing the use of agrochemicals and improving agricultural practices to preserve soil fertility.
- Food security: Contribute to the increase in food production to meet the needs of a world growing population, using genetic improvement techniques and sustainable technologies to ensure a safe and sufficient food supply.
- Renewable energy: Develop and improve the production of clean and renewable energy, such as biofuels, using biomass and microorganisms to reduce the dependence of fossil fuels and mitigate climate change.
- Biodiversity protection: Contribute to the conservation of biodiversity through the development of technologies that allow the protection and preservation of endangered species.
- Responsible use of natural resources: Promote the responsible use of natural resources, such as water and soil, through more efficient and sustainable industrial processes.
- Development of eco-friendly products: Promote the production of biodegradable materials and products and environmentally respectful, thus reducing the negative impact of waste on nature.
- Advances in medicine and health: Use green biotechnology to improve the development of more precise medicines, therapies and diagnoses, contributing to people’s health and well -being.
- Impulse to the sustainable economy: Generate commercial and economic development opportunities in industries related to green biotechnology, promoting technological innovation and job creation.
- Resource conservation: Green biotechnology seeks to reduce soil erosion, improve water use efficiency and promote more sustainable agricultural practices to preserve natural resources.
- Crop protection: Development of plants that produce repellent natural compounds to reduce the pressure of insects and pathogens.
You may also be interested in this article on soil conservation: importance, techniques and practices.
Green Biotechnology Applications
Green biotechnology uses biotechnology techniques and tools to genetically manipulate plants and crops, improve their resistance to pests and diseases, increase their performance, improve their nutritional value or adapt them to specific environmental conditions. Some of the common applications of green biotechnology include:
- Transgenic crops: Specific genes of other genetic species or variants are inserted in the genome of a plant to confer desirable characteristics, such as disease resistance, herbicide tolerance or better nutritional quality.
- Improvement of pest and disease resistance: Through genetic engineering techniques, crops that are more resistant to pests and diseases can be developed, reducing the need to use pesticides.
- Biofertilizantes: Development of beneficial microorganisms that help improve soil fertility and provide essential nutrients to plants.
- Biopesticides: Use of microorganisms, such as certain bacteria and fungi, to control pests and reduce dependence on synthetic pesticides that can be harmful to the environment and health.
- Vegetative propagation techniques: Use of tissue cultivation techniques to propagate rapidly and efficient plants with desirable characteristics.
- Improvement of plant varieties: Through the selection assisted by genetic markers, crop genetic improvement processes are accelerated, allowing more resistant and adapted varieties to be obtained.
- Agricultural Bioremediation: Use of microorganisms to eliminate pollutants present in agricultural soils and restore soil health.
We recommend you read how to avoid soil pollution.
Importance of green biotechnology
Green biotechnology is of great importance today to be able face environmental and social challenges those facing society in the 20th century, and the need to develop Sustainable and respectful solutions with the environment to guarantee the well -being not only of the human being, but also of all living beings and the planet.
By combining scientific innovation with environmental protection, this discipline has a crucial role for a more balanced and sustainable society with the planet.
Now that you know what green biotechnology is, you may also be interested in knowing green technology: what is, objectives and examples and the green economy: what is and objectives.
If you want to read more articles similar to Green Biotechnology: What is and applicationswe recommend that you enter our category of ecological technology.