BIOTECHNOLOGY

the application to industry of advances made in the techniques and instruments of research in the biological sciences. The growth of the field of biotechnology is closely linked to the development in the 1970s of genetic engineering (the directed alteration of genetic material). Substances that have been produced in this manner include human interferon (a natural virus-fighting substance), human insulin, and human growth hormone. The techniques of genetic engineeringsplicing, transplantation, and chemical replantation of repressed, nonfunctional genesalso offer the possibility that a number of heredity disorders may be corrected by manipulation. Recombinant-DNA techniques in conjunction with the development of a technique for producing monoclonal antibodies (antibodies produced by single clones of antibody-producing cells) have made an evident impact on medical diagnosis and oncology. Another important use of genetic engineering is the production of bacteria used to biodegrade oil spills and toxic wastes. Biotechnology had its origins in a 1980 decision by the U.S. Supreme Court that a live human-made microorganism is patentable matter. This ruling resulted in the establishment of a number of commercial firmsamong them Genentech, Biogen, New England BioLabs, Cetus, and Genexthat manufacture quantities of gene-engineered substances for a variety of mostly medical and ecological uses.