Biotecnología Ambiental para el Turismo Sustentable: Un análisis de Aplicaciones, Viabilidad y Retos para la Conservación

Israel Osuna Flores; Arturo Rafael Armenta López

doi:10.32351/rca.v11.421

Authors

Israel Osuna Flores Autonomous Indigenous University of Mexico https://orcid.org/0009-0001-0199-2983
Arturo Rafael Armenta López Autonomous Indigenous University of Mexico https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7417-3121

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32351/rca.v11.421

Política de Crossmark DOI: https://doi.org/10.32351/politica-crossmark

Keywords:

Environmental conservation, circular economy, bioeconomy, waste management, environmental innovation

Abstract

Sustainable tourism and environmental biotechnology represent two strategic fields whose synergistic potential has not yet been fully explored. This article presents a comprehensive analysis of how biotechnological tools can operationalize the principles of sustainable tourism, focusing on regenerative conservation, climate action, and the transition to a circular economy. Through a systematic review of scientific literature, technical reports, and regulatory frameworks, concrete applications are identified, such as the bioremediation of coastal ecosystems, the biological treatment of waste, environmental DNA monitoring, and the development of local bioeconomies linked to agritourism. The results demonstrate that biotechnology offers viable solutions for restoring, monitoring, and valuing natural capital in tourist destinations. However, structural challenges persist in financing, technology transfer, training, and governance. The article concludes by proposing priority lines of action to strengthen this integration, emphasizing that the adoption of biotechnological innovation is crucial for building a tourism sector that is competitive, resilient, and genuinely sustainable.

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Author Biographies

Israel Osuna Flores, Autonomous Indigenous University of Mexico

Is currently a Professor-Researcher at the Autonomous Indigenous University of Mexico (UNAM), affiliated with the Biotechnology Engineering Program at both the Virtual Unit and the Mochicahui Unit. He recently received an honorary doctorate from the International Organization for Inclusion and Quality Education (OIICE). He has held various positions, including Administrative Analyst and Reviewer at the National Aquaculture and Fisheries Commission; advisor to the company Acuícola Gilberto, S.C. de C.V., R.L.; and columnist for the online newspaper Phoenix Medios. He is currently the Coordinator of the Biotechnology Engineering Program (Virtual Unit) at UNAM. He teaches courses in Biology, Social and Solidarity Economy, Introduction to Biotechnology, Community Engagement Awareness, and Information Management Tools. He was Coordinator of the Projects Department at the Technology Transfer Office of the Autonomous Indigenous University of Mexico and is a member of the Sinaloa System of Researchers and Technologists. He has also been a Professor-Researcher at the same institution, where he taught courses in the Bachelor's Degree in Forestry Engineering and Sustainable Development (Forest Entomology, Biodiversity, Thesis Seminar, Environmental Projection, and Project Formulation and Evaluation), as well as in the Graduate Program in Sciences in Sustainable Development of Natural Resources (Aquaculture Production, Environmental Pollution, and Ecotoxicology). He has directed and advised two undergraduate theses and monographs and three graduate theses and dissertations. He was a member of the Academic Group on Sustainable Development. His research experience focuses on adding value to agroforestry products, pollution, and environmental toxicology. He has published articles in JCR-indexed, peer-reviewed, and popular science journals. In addition, he participates in various scientific societies and has served as a project evaluator at events such as the Pacific Regional Science Fair and the National Science Fair. He was a member of the National System of Researchers (SNI) as a Candidate from July 2002 to December 2005 and received recognition from the CONACYT Repatriation Program in 1999. His professional experience includes leading several research and outreach projects funded by COSNET and SECIHTI, as well as holding various academic and administrative positions, including: Head of the Toxic Waste Laboratory at the Center for Research in Food and Development, A.C. (Delicias Unit), and Director of Research at the Autonomous Indigenous University of Mexico (UNAM). He has been a candidate for Rector of UNAM in Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico, on three occasions (2017, 2021, and 2025). He has also worked at the National Technological Institute of Mexico (Los Mochis Campus), the University of the Sea, the Autonomous University of the West, the University of Guadalajara and the Center for Research in Food and Development, A.C. (Delicias Unit), where he has developed research projects and taught courses related to Fisheries Biology, Fisheries Technology, Ecology, Zoology, Aquaculture, Environmental Toxicology and Ecotoxicology.
Arturo Rafael Armenta López, Autonomous Indigenous University of Mexico

Is an Agricultural Engineer specializing in Plant Protection. He holds a Master's and a Doctorate in Agricultural Sciences from the Autonomous University of Sinaloa. He has served as a Visiting Professor at the Autonomous Indigenous University of Mexico, in the Virtual Unit, within the Biotechnology Engineering program. He is currently a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Interdisciplinary Research Center for Regional Integral Development (CIIDIR), Guasave Unit, belonging to the National Polytechnic Institute. His academic and scientific work focuses on the biological and agricultural sciences, with an emphasis on agricultural biotechnology, an area in which he has published several scientific articles.

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