A Brief History of Biotechnology

Ancient Origins of Biotechnology00:00:00

Biotechnology began 10,000 years ago during the Paleolithic era through selective breeding and the observation that microbes could ferment food to create products like bread and wine.

The Scientific Revolution00:01:26

In the 1800s, Louis Pasteur proved that fermentation was driven by microbes, transforming biotechnology from a traditional art into a controlled, precise science.

Industrialization and Medicine00:02:07

World wars forced the scale-up of fermentation processes from kitchens to industrial vats, leading to mass production of explosives and life-saving antibiotics like penicillin.

Recombinant DNA and Modern Applications00:03:01

The development of recombinant DNA technology allows scientists to modify genetic code, turning cells into custom factories for medical products like human insulin and advancing genetic science.