Biotechnology has seen some immense advancements in recent years, with genome mapping across multiple species and bionic eyes seeing the light of day. But where did it all begin?
Modern advancements are heavily influenced by the dawn of DNA. Well, rather, the dawn of an age where humans discovered the molecular structure of DNA.
The 1953 discovery by American biologist James Watson and English physicist Francis Crick – that of the double helix structure we all know recognise immediately as DNA – was a huge landmark.
However, that came on the back of 100 years of scientific investigation, spanning the globe.
Other massive steps forward include the discovery of the chromosome (1888), pasteurisation (1861) and, just before the turn of this millennium, a rough draft of the human genome map, revealing the location of over 30,000 genes.
But let’s look way back, centuries back, millennia back.
2,000 years ago, Egyptians mastered cheesemaking. Blessed are the cheesemakers.
2,000 years before that, they worked out how to make wine. And you have to go even further back to establish animal domestication, another form of man-made biotechnology.
This infographic by Conosco IT reveals all:
Main biotechnology image via Shutterstock
