Chapter 3: Biotechnology and Biohappiness

The elucidation of the double-helix structure of the Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) molecule in 1953 by Drs. James Watson, Francis Crick, Maurice William and Franklin Rosalind marked the beginning of what is now known as the new genetics. Research during the last five decades and more in the fields of molecular genetics and recombinant DNA technology has opened up new opportunities in agriculture, medicine, industry and environment protection. The ability to move genes across sexual barriers has led to heightened interest in the conservation and sustainable and equitable use of biodiversity, since biodiversity is the feedstock for plant, animal and microbial breeding enterprises…