Biotechnology is about understanding how living organisms function at the molecular level. In its simplest form, biotechnology is a biology-based technology that harnesses cellular and biomolecular processes to develop technologies and products that help improve our lives and the health of our planet. We have been using the biological processes of microorganisms for over 6,000 years to make useful food products, such as bread and cheese, and to preserve dairy products. As a result, modern biotechnology is providing revolutionary products and technologies to fight debilitating and rare diseases, reduce our environmental footprint, feed the poor, use less energy, be more ecosystem friendly, and have safer, cleaner and more efficient industrial manufacturing processes. The impact of biotechnology is therefore important in the health industry, but it also extends to other areas such as the environment, agriculture and even industry.