What is meant by anthropogenic biotechnology?

Anthropogenic biotechnology refers specifically to biotechnological applications that are directly influenced by human activity. This encompasses a wide range of practices, including genetic engineering, synthetic biology, and the use of organisms to produce products beneficial to humanity, such as pharmaceuticals, biofuels, and agricultural enhancements.

This concept is distinct because it emphasizes the role of humans in modifying biological processes for desired outcomes—essentially highlighting how human intervention shapes biotechnological advancements. The term "anthropogenic" itself derives from "anthropos," meaning human, underscoring the significant impact of human actions on technology and biology.

In contrast, applications initiated by natural selection, those focusing solely on environmental sustainability, or those occurring without human interference do not fall under the definition of anthropogenic biotechnology, as they either exclude human involvement or do not specifically aim to harness biological processes for human benefit.