Biotech in your life
Biotechnology plays a huge role in our everyday lives: from the food we eat, the medicine we take to keep us healthy, the clothes we wear and how we wash them, and even the fuel we use to take us where we need to go.
What is biotechnology?
The word biotechnology originates from ancient Greek, and it combines the word ‘bios’ and ‘technikos’. Biotechnology, or biotech, is the application of biology and technology. The sector utilises living organisms, like microorganisms, enzymes, and genes, to manufacture innovative and safe products and processes improving human lives and preserving the environment.
Biotechnology encompasses different sectors, like healthcare, agriculture, industrial, and environmental.[1] Its applications are critical and vital to benefit the people and the planet.
The healthcare biotech sector revolutionised the way we treat diseases and cure patients. Besides pharmaceuticals and biologics, healthcare biotech enables the development of advanced personalised treatments that improve diagnosis, and deliver tailored therapies to patients.
The industrial biotech sector is also paving the way for competitive and safe industrial production processes by harnessing microorganisms, enzymes, fermentation and bioremediation. While also restoring polluted environments and obtaining drought-resistant crops.
How can biotech benefit you?
Innovative biotech discoveries have improved our lives, your life, for centuries. The first evidence of biotech products dates to 8000-5000 BC, with cheese being considered one of the first biotech products in history. Over centuries, ancient civilisations used yeast to bake bread and fermentation to obtain drinks like beer and wine.[2] Coffee, cocoa, tea, tobacco and vanilla are other products made by fermentation.
Over time, biotech discoveries have impacted our societies, from the discovery of the DNA structure to recombination techniques leading to the development of insulin.
As we face global challenges like climate change and pollution, the latest advancements in biotech are paving the way for resilient and sustainable solutions for our future.
Healthcare Biotechnology harnesses the power of biotech to advance research and development, manufacturing and delivering healthcare products to improve patients' lives
- Gene therapies are one of the most innovative biotech discoveries, allowing to treat genetic diseases by replacing missing or defective genes with functional ones.
- For instance, Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs) are revolutionising the healthcare landscape, with many of them providing one-time treatment for patients.
- In 2022, the gross value added (GVA) from biotech activities was €38.1 billion, having almost doubled since 2008 and being one one of the most economically productive industries. Across all sectors, it generates €160,000 GVA per person employed, with healthcare biotechnology leading the way at €177,600.
- Do you want to learn more about the benefits of genetic technologies for people and the planet? Then read A gene on a quest: the adventures of Jen!
Industrial Biotechnology is a key enabler of the EU’s transition from a fossil-based to a bio-based economy, for a sustainable and competitive bioeconomy
- The sector uses enzymes, microorganisms and living cells to make biobased products from renewable raw materials, which are applied across many sectors, like chemicals, pharmaceuticals, food and feed, fragrances, detergents, paper and pulp, textiles and bioenergy.
- Industrial biotech innovation is already transforming the agri-food sector, consumer products, wellbeing and health applications, biomaterials and biochemicals, and technology processes. You can read more about practical examples of products and services at this page: a collection of relevant case studies from EuropaBio’s members.
- Employment growth in industrial biotechnology also had a growing rate 7.5 times higher than the EU average, with a steep increase over 2019 – 2022.
- Specifically, microorganisms are key to supporting sustainable products as part of Europe’s green transitions.
- Do you want to learn more about the benefits of microorganisms for people and the planet? Then follow the Adventures of Max the Microorganism!