genetic engineering

[ juh-net-ik en-juh-neer-ing ]

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

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

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

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

Notes

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 Words From

• ge·net·ic en·gi·neer noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of genetic engineering¹

First recorded in 1965–70

Example Sentences

A person formerly close to Genomatica described Ginkgo as acting as “an arm of Viking” whose true business could be described as financial engineering, not genetic engineering.

From MIT Technology Review

Take the common yeast, a scientist’s favorite medium for genetic engineering and a brewer’s best friend.

From Singularity Hub 

The reason we can manage to have 7 billion people here on the planet is basically through direct or indirect genetic engineering through gain-of-function research.

From MIT Technology Review

In debunking the possibility that the virus was the product of extensive genetic engineering, they’d ruled out other, simpler scenarios.

From MIT Technology Review

Here, scientists use genetic engineering to put different types of algae proteins into the brains of mice.

From Singularity Hub 

The danger, here, is not a society where people express concerns about genetic engineering.

From The Daily Beast

Genetic engineering is the process by which genes from unrelated species are isolated and collected to form new gene constructs.

From The Daily Beast

Not to be confused with genetic modification, selective breeding by humans does not include genetic engineering of specific DNA.

From The Daily Beast