Which biotechnology sector covers transgenic plants and animals engineered to express a specific gene?

• A. Medical and Pharmaceutical
• B. Industrial and Environmental
• C. Agricultural
• D. Diagnostic Research

Answer: (C)

The key idea here is how biotech work is categorized by its end use. When plants or animals are made transgenic to express a specific gene, the primary aim is to alter traits that affect agricultural production—such as crop yield, pest resistance, nutritional content, or growth characteristics. That focus sits squarely in Agricultural biotechnology, which covers modifying crops and livestock to improve farming outcomes.

Medical and Pharmaceutical biotechnology, by contrast, centers on human health applications, drug development, or therapies. Industrial and Environmental biotechnology targets production processes, enzymes for industry, biofuels, or remediation. Diagnostic Research deals with developing tools to detect diseases or conditions.

So, the work described—engineering plants and animals to express a gene to enhance agricultural traits—best fits Agricultural biotechnology.