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The control and application of living organisms to the needs of mankind.

Phormium tenax (New Zealand flax)

Biotechnics is, of course, a modern term. However, I do not believe that this invalidates its usage in the context of discussing the events surrounding Banks during the eighteenth century. While Banks himself did not have the word "biotechnics" available to him in his vocabulary, were one able to ask him he would, I believe, describe his activities as applying the benefits of the natural world to mankind, and Britain in particular.