The evolution of biotechnology: From natufians to nanotechnology

Abstract

The book traces the evolution of biotechnology in the broadest sense from prehistoric organismal manipulation by our first settled ancestors through to speculation about future directions for the technology as it increasingly intersects with other high technologies such as IT and Nanotech. The trajectory is demonstrated by various events throughout history that have intersected or built on one another to lead to the forward progression of a technology. Obviously, with such a broad canvas much selectivity is involved in the choices made to advance the narrative and, while the subjects chosen are not capricious, they are influenced by the author's perspective. In addition we have made some attempt, where validated resources exist, to present our perspective on how individual personalities and their particular contextual experience influenced the direction in which they carried the science or the science carried them. © 2006 Springer. All rights reserved.