genetic engineering

American  

[juh-net-ik en-juh-neer-ing] / dʒəˈnɛt ɪk ˌɛn dʒəˈnɪər ɪŋ /

noun

Genetics.

1. the development and application of scientific methods, procedures, and technologies that permit direct manipulation of genetic material in order to alter the hereditary traits of a cell, organism, or population.

2. a technique that produces unlimited amounts of otherwise unavailable or scarce biological product by introducing DNA isolated from animals or plants into bacteria and then harvesting the product from a bacterial colony, as human insulin produced in bacteria by the human insulin gene.

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genetic engineering British  

noun

1. alteration of the DNA of a cell for purposes of research, as a means of manufacturing animal proteins, correcting genetic defects, or making improvements to plants and animals bred by man

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genetic engineering Scientific  

1. The science of altering and cloning genes to produce a new trait in an organism or to make a biological substance, such as a protein or hormone. Genetic engineering mainly involves the creation of recombinant DNA, which is then inserted into the genetic material of a cell or virus.

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genetic engineering Cultural  

1. The manipulation of DNA to produce new types of organisms, usually by inserting or deleting genes.

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Genetic engineering has been developed commercially, with uses such as producing human insulin or bacteria that will keep plants from freezing in a mild frost. It is also used to produce genetically modified organisms.

U.S. courts have ruled that the products of genetic engineering can be patented.

There is often controversy about the risk involved in releasing genetically engineered organisms into the environment.

Other Word Forms

• genetic engineer
  noun

Etymology

Origin of genetic engineering

First recorded in 1965–70

Example Sentences

Genetic engineering is unlikely to be a practical antiaging measure in people, but the scientists have also developed a molecule that raises osteocalcin levels in mice.

From Science Magazine • May 22, 2024

Genetic engineering of plants using algal genes is underway to increase the photosynthetic performance.

From Science Daily • Mar. 1, 2024

Genetic engineering has proven far more complicated than anyone expected 50 years ago.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 25, 2023

Genetic engineering technologies and synthetic biology tools allow us to identify safe and effective biofungicides, supercharge their performance and rapidly scale up their production.

From Scientific American • Jun. 20, 2022

Genetic engineering can be applied to heritable information to produce what is referred to as a “knockdown organism.”

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022