Biotechnology, History of

THE 17TH CENTURY is seen as the most propitious era for scientific intervention. The period is often described as the century of genius, for most scientific leaps began in this era and continued well into the 18th century, only to be regrouped retrospectively in the early part of the 20th century. The invention of the telescope, the thermometer, and the barometer benefitted those countries at war. In addition, however, the scientific and philosophical interests that emerged at the time also stimulated productive thoughts and aspirations that were expressed in the latter part of the century. The period, thus, was marked by a very successful scientific revolution.

In France, Western Europe, and England, the period between Galileo's first publications and Newton's Principia was characterized by changes that altered the development of new technologies. The granting of patents in Florence and England constituted an important chapter in the history of technological inventions. The terms invention, [Page 25]inventor, and monopoly, and legalizing them, became significant with regard to technology.

Development of the science of mechanics and power technology marked yet another phase in the development of technological innovations in later years. Although the need to devise improved technology was a prominent feature of this innovation, there was a concomitant improvement in the way new technology was put to practical use for the benefit of mankind. What was more important was how these new technologies fitted into the need of the society in terms of reliability, economic viability, and the felt need of the community at large.

Amid new technology, an important factor that influenced its practical application was the rise of a unanimous sense of reasoning and logic of progress. This led to the establishment of technological institutions that were directly supported by the state. France and Britain became active recipients of this institutional progress. Although, initially, the need to have such set—ups came from the army and civil services, it was not long before their relevance was recognized in making technology completely autonomous and open to the public. In England, advanced technology in terms of railroad networks and bridges reflected the rise of a specific technological profession—that of engineering. Gradually, moving into the 18th and 19th centuries, there is a continuous expansion of mining and textile industries that benefitted greatly from the new technologies.

It was not until the first half of the 19th century that science as a profession, per se, was organized on sound basis into a definite structure that also continued in later years. New scientific paradigms were created to cater to the needs of the expanding scientific horizons. Thus began new ideas of introducing electro—technology and of improved concepts of power. Much of the 19th century gave hope of successful technological progress. Some of these successes were used in war situations; for example, the invention of the Bessemer steel—making process by Henry Bessemer (1813–98). Bessemer invented new designs for heavy guns using new and cost—effective methods of manufacturing them.

In the past 30 years, Western scientists have used the term biotechnology to refer to laboratory—based techniques.

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