A. M. Chakrabarty

A. M. Chakrabarty was an Indian microbiologist who made a groundbreaking discovery in genetic engineering. In 1980, he developed a genetically modified bacterium capable of breaking down crude oil, which could be used for cleaning up oil spills. His work was the first to demonstrate that living, genetically engineered organisms could be patented, leading to new possibilities in biotechnology. This achievement also sparked legal debates about the patentability of life forms. Chakrabarty's contributions significantly advanced environmental cleanup methods and the biotech industry, earning him recognition as a pioneering scientist in genetic engineering.