The Biodesign Institute: Biotech 101 - History

The Biodesign Institute: Biotech 101 - History: "Ancient Biotech Biotechnology, or the use of living organisms and their products for human benefit, has been around longer than you may think. The exact origins of humans first attempts to utilize the power of nature are not known, but our transition from hunter gatherers into an era of communities and cities led to innovations and early accounts among the ancient cultures of the Chinese, Greeks, Egyptians, Romans, and Sumerians, and others beginning perhaps as early as 5000 B.C. The necessities of survival of these large communities depended on domesticating animals for livestock, using microorganisms during fermentation to produce breads, yogurts, cheeses, and alcohol in the form of beer and wine. Plant balms and herbal remedies were developed to treat ailments and wounds. As understanding increased, selective breeding began to improve the production of crops and livestock and plant balms were used to treat infections."