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.

---

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

---

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.

---

genetic engineering Cultural  

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

---

Discover More

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

“Probably we’ll be a million species before long,” he said, suggesting that genetic engineering of human beings would enable colonization of the solar system.

From Slate • Dec. 9, 2025

His segment predicted a huge restoration of British woodlands thanks to genetic engineering and multi-storey agri facilities, leading to the return of animals including the brown bear.

From BBC • Dec. 31, 2024

Project 2025 also embraces genetic engineering and other crop biotechnology.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 8, 2024

Folk said the single origin idea would suggest that the genetic engineering of crops, such as rice and maize, to work with nitrogen-fixing bacteria is a "lower hurdle" to cross.

From Science Daily • May 29, 2024

Since there were no laws limiting genetic engineering, Rifkin regularly sued to stop it using any existing laws that might apply.

From "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" by Rebecca Skloot