Biotechnology (sometimes shortened to “biotech”) is a field of applied biology that involves the use of living organisms and bioprocesses in engineering, technology, medicine and other fields requiring bioproducts. Biotechnology also utilizes these products for manufacturing purpose. Modern use of similar terms includes genetic engineering as well as cell- and tissue culture technologies. The concept encompasses a wide range of procedures (and history) for modifying living organisms according to human purposes — going back to domestication of animals, cultivation of plants, and “improvements” to these through breeding programs that employ artificial selection and hybridization. By comparison to biotechnology, bioengineering is generally thought of as a related field with its emphasis more on higher systems approaches (not necessarily altering or using biological materials directly) for interfacing with and utilizing living things.

Laboratory certifications:

The qualification for a laboratory director of high complexity testing at 42 CFR 493.1443(b)(3)(i) is that the laboratory director must hold an earned doctoral degree in a chemical, physical, biological or clinical laboratory science from an accredited institution and be certified and continue to be certified by a board approved by HHS.  The current approved boards are the following:

1. ABB – American Board of Bioanalysis 
2. ABB public health microbiology certification
3. ABCC – American Board of Clinical Chemistry
4. ABCC 24-month Commission on Accreditation in Clinical Chemistry (COMACC) accredited program
5. ABFT – American Board of Forensic Toxicology (limited to individuals with a doctoral degree)* 
6. ABHI – American Board of Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics
7. ABMG – American Board of Medical Genetics
8. ABMLI – American Board of Medical Laboratory Immunology
9. ABMM – American Board of Medical Microbiology
10. NRCC – National Registry of Certified Chemists (limited to individuals with a doctoral degree)