biotechnologyn.
/ˌbʌɪə(ʊ)tɛkˈnɒlədʒi/, U.S. /ˌbaɪoʊˌtɛkˈnɑlədʒi/ 1. The application of science and technology to the utilization and improvement of living organisms for industrial and agricultural production and (in later use) other biomedical applications; a technique or technology used in this way. In later use: spec. = genetic engineering n. Cf. earlier biotechnics n. 1.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > study of work > [noun] > technology or technography > concerned with industry using living organisms
biotechnology1921
biotech1980
society > occupation and work > study of work > [adjective] > relating to technology or technography > branches of
biotechnic1927
soft1972
zygological1978
biotech1980
biotechnology1982
nanotech1987
nanotechnological1987
1921 Exper. Station Rec. (U.S. Dept. Agric.) 42 263 Biotechnology of meat, fat, and milk production in large-scale farm operations [Ger. Biotechnologie der Fleisch-, Fett-, und Milcherzeugung im landwirtschaftlichen Grossbetriebe], K. Ereky... The purpose of the author is to acquaint persons engaged extensively in livestock production who have had training in the natural sciences with current views as to the utilization of feeds by animals and the influence of internal secretions on body functions.
1936 J. Huxley in L. T. Hogben Retreat from Reason p. vii Biology is as important as the sciences of lifeless matter; and biotechnology will in the long run be more important than mechanical or chemical engineering.
1958 E. C. Stakman in W. C. Steere Fifty Years Bot. v. 62 The problem is to develop a biotechnology that provides the most efficient kinds of plants and then helps them to function as efficiently as possible.
1982 Times 11 May 17/2 Biotechnology appeared to have staked out half a dozen major industries, each of which would be transformed by new manufacturing processes based on cell culture, genetic engineering, or the catalysing powers of enzymes.
2005 Seed Oct.–Nov. 62/3 The Chinese government is pouring money into everything from biotechnology to its ambitious space program.
2. The application of science and technology to practical problems of living; the study of the interaction of human beings and technology. Cf. bioengineering n., and earlier biotechnics n. 2.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > study of work > [noun] > technology or technography > concerned with machines related to human needs
biotechnology1933
1933 Nature 29 Apr. 597/2 (heading) Biotechnology.
1947 Science 105 217/2 Hours of work, on-the-job feeding, rest periods, etc. are also phases of the physiology of work which form an important part of a comprehensive biotechnology.
1963 Science 9 Aug. 514/1 Biotechnology is shown as an approach to human engineering for the man-machine system.
1969 Sci. Jrnl. June 50/1 Biotechnology is just as concerned with the provision of tools for medical research as with the development of equipment for medical service.
1993 R. Bud Uses of Life iv. 88 Biotechnology became associated with the study of what was elsewhere known as ‘human factors research’.
Compounds
C1. General attributive, as biotechnology company, biotechnology industry, biotechnology research, etc.
ΚΠ
1963 Los Angeles Times 6 Oct. (Classified section) 24/5 (advt.) Set-up and conduct tests for bio-technology research programs involving human & animal subjects.
1972 (title of periodical) Biotechnology and bioengineering symposium.
1978 Economist (Nexis) 2 Dec. 95 Just as prewar advances in physics gave birth to a modern electronics industry, so the last generation's advances in biology will give birth to a biotechnology industry.
1980 Times 3 Apr. 4/2 The proposal for a research-oriented biotechnology company.
1982 Economist 20 Mar. 68/1 More than 200 new biotechnology firms in Europe and America are losing money and are unable to bring new wonder-drugs to the market.
1985 I. J. Higgins in I. J. Higgins et al. Biotechnol. i. 2 It is..the discovery of genetic engineering techniques via recombinant DNA technology..which is responsible for the current ‘biotechnology boom’.
1992 Globe & Mail (Toronto) 24 Nov. b10/4 The biotechnology stocks that had a hot run in the market earlier this year.
2008 Wall St. Jrnl. 18 Apr. b11/5 GlaxoSmithKline PLC strengthened its presence in the biotechnology sector.
C2.
biotechnology park n. an industrial park devoted to research and development in biotechnology.
ΚΠ
1984 Boston Globe 24 Jan. 1 He also points to economic development projects such as..a planned biotechnology park in Worcester and a proposed $40 million microelectronic center.
2003 Econ. & Polit. Weekly 38 3928/2 Tidco is setting up a biotechnology park at Chennai, which will be equipped with a bio-resource centre and customised labs.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, November 2010; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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n.1921