Is advanced technology possible without fire

[MrDibble]

@Pleonast

we’ve been manipulating genes via selective culling and breeding ever since we started domesticating plants and animals.

I’m not talking about selective breeding. I’m talking about bioengineering. Breeding a teacup poodle or a sweeter melon is not what people are talking about when they say things like:

@Great_Antibob

but as for aquatic species, a lot of SF posits species starting from the biotechnology end (selective breeding at first and then more subtle genetic manipulation and organic tech and onward),

“organic tech” here never seems to just mean bigger ears of corn.