ABSTRACT
Biotechnology is an applied science that is generally regarded as new and rapidly evolving advanced technology. Contrary to popular perception, biomanufacturing is as old as the production of fermented drink, but it has in recent decades undergone a renaissance of new applications, resulting from the development of recombinant DNA technology (Figure 12.1). Biotechnology facilities today produce a diverse array of products, from yogurt to biofuels. The focus of this chapter, however, is on the particular application of biotechnology facilities to produce products for the prevention and treatment of disease. These biopharmaceutical products are extending and improving lives and are transforming the practice of medicine at a meteoric rate.
