Are Evolutionary algorithms biotechnology?

Question

For my research project in biology for my final year I need to present a project in the field of Biotechnology. Being passionate about programming I immediately thought of Evolutionary Algorithms! However I am not sure if Evolutionary Algorithms would fall into the category of Biotechnology, hence I would rather confirm with the best and most passionate programming experts on the world.

Answer 1

Until you're implementing your evolutionary algorithms with organic material, no.

They are, of course, inspired from the way modern organisms have come to exist. But there's no biology in what you're doing.

Answer 2

Unfortunately no, a genetic algorithm (ga) is just an optimization technique that is inspired from various evolutionary processes like mutation or crossover. They belong to the area of evolutionary computing and artificial intelligence and not biotechnology. Please follow this link for a brief introduction to genetic algorithms.

Biotechnology from the other hand has to do with actual organisms that are used in some way to make a product or an application. It sounds kind of broad but that is only because the particular field is in itself very broad. We use forms of biotechnology for thousands of years now in many common and not so common ways. This is not bad though as it gives you a lot of freedom regarding your project. Choose anything from food production to medicine and you will still be relevant to the subject. Maybe the links provided will give you some inspiration.

• Link one
• Link two

Answer 3

No. It's just an example of a biological algorithm adapted for computational purposes.

Other examples include Ant-Colony Optimization, Flocking behavior, etc.

IIRC, Biotechnology requires the use of actual biology (i.e., living things or parts of them) adapted for technological purposes, not just an algorithmic emulation or modelling of their processes.