By definition, biotechnology is the use of microbiological and biochemical techniques to solve practical problems. The first student is looking at a limited view of biotechnology, seeing biotechnology in its modern applications. The second student is including fermentation of beverages, production of cured meats, and bread-making technologies used by ancient civilizations. These classical types of biotechnology are still used today in a similar fashion as was conducted then. However, they have been modified using modern instrumentation and more precise information about genetics.