Food biotechnology is one of the most important sectors within this rapidly growing industry. It can solve the world food crisis while bringing prices down to more reasonable levels. It is to most advanced application in biotechnology, as it has already reached the stage where production is underway, albeit only on a limited scale. The growth which this sector of the industry is about to experience is certain to eclipse anything so far seen and depending on the results of trials now being carried out. It could grow to take over most of the industrialized food production.
Many people within society have been expecting the development of this type for several years, but it inevitably takes time for the potential to become a reality. Even though biotechnology is a potential feeder of the huge food production and pharmaceutical industries, researchers still take time to produce a working model of their technology, even though they are heavily financed. Then, the inevitable trials need to occur before a production system can be rolled out in real-time. The technology which has been used in food production has and to go through this lengthy process, and it has been lengthened further by the fact that the consequences of biotechnology in food production could be far-reaching.
The major reason for biotechnology to be used in food production is to lessen insecticides in commercial farming. Many crops are sprayed with chemicals hoping that this will prevent pests from being able to breed and then damage the crop that has been planted for food. This is inevitably an expensive operation, and there are concerns about the effects of the residues of these chemicals on the human body. If crops can be grown resistant to insect pests, chemicals could be greatly reduced or even discontinued.
Another possible solution that biotechnology could bring is increased protection against climatic change and severe weather conditions. The climate has always been a problem for farmers. Ever since farming first became organized and commercial, the difficulty is now getting worse. Weather patterns are far less consistent than in previous years, and an entire season’s crops can easily be lost just with one short spell of unseasonable weather. Crops can be created with an increased tolerance of cold temperature, and it is even possible to develop strains that will retain more water.
Many of the biotechnology applications in food production appear to be frivolous and just for show, such as the creation of blue strawberries by injecting a color gene that would not normally be found. This can detract from the real purpose of biotechnology, which is to produce more natural, useful food which can bring improved nutrition. The possibility of crops that have higher nutrient values and the ability to withstand extreme temperatures also increases the probability of growing more food crops in the Third World, giving communities a greatly enhanced local food supply.
The use of food biotechnology will increase dramatically in the coming years, which means that there will be many opportunities to work within the industry. To work in a research department, you will need a degree of standard education and experience within a scientific discipline. The degree will need to come from a college or other authorized source of learning, but it is not necessary to physically attend college. There are now opportunities to study at home through online learning and achieve the same qualification and experience in food biotechnology.
