Modern biotechnology is currently being used in soils for growing better crops, in wastewater for eliminating odors and meeting regulatory requirements, in toxic waste clean-up and many other areas. There is a dilemma with biotechnology concerning on-going research. An example is in cheese manufacturing where thousands of pounds are made at one time with microbes added prior to aging. It would be very difficult to make a one pound batch with the same characteristics as a large batch because of the transformations caused by the microbes and enzymes. With new biotechnology, large projects generally outperform smaller test projects.
Agriculture is the big winner as modern biotechnology progresses.
Past attempts for the long term control of nematode and phylloxera in vineyards with strong chemicals have had limited success. However, safe methods, using biotechnology, can supply special nutrients for the beneficial microbes in the soil. Several microbial strains, including actinomycetes, which are typically native in the soil, produce enzymes that open the skin of the damaging nematode or phylloxera, diminishing their population. The soil comes alive with beneficial creatures that can naturally control pest and disease problems. In addition, the trillions of beneficial microbes work to adjust pH, make nutrients more available, improve plant health and increase crop quality and yields.