Which of the following processes is NOT typically associated with biotechnology?

The traditional breeding of plants involves natural methods where plants are crossbred to enhance desirable traits over generations. While this process contributes significantly to agriculture and can be considered a practice within the broader field of agriculture, it does not specifically involve the advanced techniques associated with biotechnology. Biotechnology typically refers to processes that manipulate biological systems at a molecular or cellular level, including genetic modification and gene editing, which are more modern and technology-driven approaches compared to traditional breeding methods.

The other options, such as genetic modification of crops, fermentation for food production, and gene editing for therapeutic purposes, all involve techniques and applications that fall under the umbrella of biotechnology. These methods leverage scientific advancements and understanding of genetics, microbiology, and cellular processes to create products, enhance food production, or develop medical therapies, illustrating the more advanced manipulation of biological systems that characterizes biotechnology. Thus, traditional breeding stands apart as a non-biotechnological approach in this context.