Biotechnology is an area of study in which uses techniques based on biological processes. Examples of biotechnology include traditional applications, such as the making of bread, cheese, wine and beer, and more modern applications to grow or culture cells for research or to make genetically modified crops for food, feed, fuel and fiber. Biotechnology can also be used for refer pharmaceutical applications which you can read more about here.
The term “GMO” is used to describe a specific set of organisms using the tools of biotechnology. In plants, GMOs commercially available include corn (field and sweet), soybeans, sugar beets, cotton, alfalfa, papaya, squash and canola. Farmers choose to use GM seeds to reduce crop damage from weeds, diseases and insects, as well as from extreme weather conditions, such as drought.