Pollution and Pollution Control - Environmental Biotechnology: Theory and Application - page 76

another. Another option to deal with both these ongoing problems is, simply, to
avoid their production in the first place and while this may seem over-idealistic
in some aspects, it does have a clear and logical appeal. Throughout this topic,
'environmental' biotechnology is defined in the broad sense of the utilisation
of applied biological methods to the benefit of the environment. Thus, any use
of the life sciences which removes, remediates or obviates contamination of the
biosphere falls firmly within its remit and apriori action, to avoid the problem in
the first place must be preferential. The proverbial ounce of prevention is worth
a pound of cure.
The current emphasis on clean-up and treatment is largely the result of his-
torical circumstance. As legislation has become more stringent, the regulation of
waste and pollution has correspondingly forced the pace of environmental inter-
vention. In addition, the prevalence of 'the polluter pays' principle, coupled with
ever greater pressures to redevelop existing 'brown-field' sites, in preference to
de novo development has inevitably necessitated a somewhat reactive response.
However, increasingly biotechnologies are being developed which, though per-
haps not 'environmental' in themselves, bring significant benefits to this sphere.
Their advantages to industry in terms of reduced demands for integrated pollution
control and minimised waste disposal costs also suggest a clear likelihood of their
success in the commercial sphere. Generally, the environment has tended to fare
best when its interests and economic ones go hand in hand and the pre-emptive
approach which the new technologies herald seems ideally suited to both.

'Clean' Technology

The mechanisms by which pollution or waste may be reduced at source are
varied. They may involve changes in technology or processes, alteration in
the raw materials used or a complete restructuring of procedures. Generally
speaking, biotechnological interventions are principally limited to the former
aspects, though they may also prove instrumental in permitting procedural
change. The main areas in which biological means may be relevant fall into three
broad categories:

• process changes;

• biological control;

• bio-substitutions.

In the following discussions of these three groups, it is not suggested that the
examples cited are either comprehensive or exhaustive; they are simply intended
to illustrate the wide potential scope of applications open to biotechnology
in clean manufacturing. For precisely the reasons mentioned in respect of
the economic aspects of this particular area of industrial activity, the field is
a fast evolving one and many more types of biotechnological interventions
are likely in the future, especially where commercial pressures derive a
competitive advantage.