disclosed is a method for modifying naturally occuring biocompatible biopolymers of plant and animal origin by subjecting same to ionizing radiation in the presence of a mediating gas , typically acetylene to enable one to selectively enhance and modify one or more of the physiochemical propserties of the starting materials which have a wide range of uses in medicine , food technology and other industrial applications . notwithstanding the modifications , the biocompatibility of the biopolymer remains unchanged and no new or additional functional groups are introduced into the starting biopolymer .