What type of research does biotechnology encompass?

Biotechnology encompasses research that manipulates biological systems for innovation, making it a broad field that applies various scientific disciplines to develop technologies and products aimed at improving human life and the environment. This can include genetic engineering, molecular biology, and cell biology, among others, to create new medications, improve agricultural yields, develop biofuels, and enhance food safety.

By employing techniques that involve the modification of living organisms or biological processes, biotechnology opens up innovative solutions in numerous applications across healthcare, agriculture, and industrial processes. The versatility and transformative potential embedded in this definition set it apart from other options that focus on narrower aspects such as agricultural production, discovery of new species, or environmental conservation. While these aspects may intersect with biotechnology, they do not define the core of what biotechnology stands for.