INTRODUCTION 
The term 'biotechnology* denotes the application of biological systems and 
organisms to technical and industrial processes.^ 
Microorganisms have for centuries been employed in such applications as the 
leavening of bread, the fermentation of beers and wines, and the ripening of 
Cheese. Those traditional applications depended upon naturally occurring 
mutations to provide microbial strains with particular useful properties. 
Modem biotechnology departs from its empirical forbears and Is based on 
recent advances In molecular genetics and cell biology. Genetic manipulation, 
the systematic transfer of genetic material from one organism to another In 
order to alter the properties of the recipient organism. Is the foundation of 
modern biotechnology. This technique of recombining molecules of 
deoxyribonucleic acid (ONA) to form recombinant DNA (rONA) permits the planned 
development of microorganisms designed to produce specific chemical or 
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biological products or to destroy particular toxic wastes. 
Blotechnologic applications are expected to find major use In the near future 
In the pharmaceutical, chemical, and food processing Industries. In the next 
decade blotechnologic techniques will likely be employed In the production of 
enzynes, hormones, antibiotics, vaccines, diagnostic antigens. Improved plant 
strains, and a wide variety of chemical feedstocks.^ Several attractions of 
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