This document provides an introduction to biotechnology, including its origins, history, applications and mechanisms. It discusses how biotechnology has been used for thousands of years in activities like selective breeding and fermentation, but accelerated in modern times with advances like recombinant DNA techniques. The document outlines the major fields of biotechnology like food/agriculture, medicine, environment and defines terms like transgenic plants/animals. It also summarizes methods used in biotechnology like cloning, stem cell research, DNA vaccines and edible vaccines. While biotechnology has benefits, it also raises moral issues and risks regarding genetically modified organisms.