Toxicology tests using biosensors
A variety of pesticides and fungicides that are used for crop protection programmes, sometimes reach alarming levels in the atmosphere and become the cause of concern for human health care. These high levels of pesticides and fungicides are often detected through tests conducted on animals. Biosensors are being developed, which will spot dangerous levels of these chemicals in the atmosphere, thus obviating the need of animal testing.  Biochips carrying these biosensors are being tested by the British biotechnology company, Zeneca (manufacturer of agrochemicals). These biochips will indicate whether an experimental pesticide has reached a level, which is dangerous for humans, farm animals (including bees and earthworms) and plant life.