Genetic engineering
Biotechnology · Genetics · Molecular Biology
Say it: juh-NET-ik en-juh-NEER-ing
Genetic engineering is the direct change of an organism's DNA using laboratory techniques, to add, remove or alter genes and give it new traits.
Also: genetic modification, genetically engineered, gene technology
Definition
What is genetic engineering?
Genetic engineering, also called genetic modification, means deliberately changing the genetic material of a cell or organism with laboratory methods, instead of through mating and selection. The change can be as small as a single base pair or as large as removing a stretch of DNA or adding a whole gene, sometimes one taken from a different species. An organism altered this way is a genetically modified organism, and one that carries a gene from another species is called transgenic.
The classic approach uses recombinant DNA: a gene is cut out with restriction enzymes, inserted into a vector such as a plasmid or a modified virus, and delivered into host cells, where it is copied and expressed. Newer genome-editing tools, especially CRISPR-Cas9, can change a chosen DNA sequence directly at its natural place in the genome. Compared with traditional breeding, genetic engineering is faster and more precise and can move traits between species that cannot interbreed.
Applications include bacteria that make human insulin, insect-resistant crops, laboratory animals that model human diseases, yeasts for brewing and industry, and gene therapies for inherited disorders and cancers. Its use is regulated, and editing human embryos raises particular ethical concerns.
Word parts
Where does the term “genetic engineering” come from?
- genet-
- origin, birthGreek genesis
- engine-
- skill, clevernessLatin ingenium
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Related
Terms that go with it
- Recombinant DNARecombinant DNA is DNA made in the laboratory by joining pieces of DNA from different sources, often different species, into one molecule.
- Genetically modified organismA genetically modified organism is a plant, animal or microbe whose DNA has been changed by genetic engineering in a way mating could not achieve.
- CRISPRCRISPR is a genome-editing technology, adapted from a bacterial defense system, that uses a guide RNA to direct an enzyme such as Cas9 to cut DNA.
- PlasmidA plasmid is a small, usually circular DNA molecule that copies itself independently of the main chromosome, found mostly in bacteria.
- Synthetic biologySynthetic biology applies engineering design to living systems, building new genetic parts, circuits and genomes so that organisms can do useful jobs.
- GeneA gene is a stretch of DNA that carries the instructions for making a protein or a working RNA molecule, and is the basic unit of heredity.
Sources
Checked against
Written for biofideX in plain words, after checking these references:
- NHGRI Talking Glossary: Genetic Engineering
- OpenStax Biology 2e, 17.1 Biotechnology
- FAO, The State of Food and Agriculture 2003-04: What is agricultural biotechnology?
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