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genetic engineering
noun
: the group of applied techniques of genetics and biotechnology used to cut up and join together genetic material and especially DNA from one or more species of organism and to introduce the result into an organism in order to change one or more of its characteristics
genetically engineered
adjective
genetic engineer
noun
Examples of genetic engineering in a Sentence
The crops were made resistant to disease by genetic engineering.
Recent Examples on the Web
Researchers plan to identify the culprit and then try to remove it using genetic engineering.
—Jason Gale / Bloomberg, TIME, 16 May 2024
Genetic Engineering and Retroviruses Hot on the heels of this attempt, the field of genetic engineering blossomed and provided some novel tools that could be applied to gene therapies.
—William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
Inside a brick and glass building in an office park, scientists start by using the latest genetic engineering techniques to edit the DNA in pig skin cells.
—Rob Stein, NPR, 29 Feb. 2024
And there’s a potential disadvantage to genetic engineering with Fanzor, says Esvelt.
—Amber Dance, Discover Magazine, 2 Feb. 2024
See all Example Sentences for genetic engineering
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'genetic engineering.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1951, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of genetic engineering was
in 1951
Dictionary Entries Near genetic engineering
Cite this Entry
“Genetic engineering.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/genetic%20engineering. Accessed 10 Jun. 2024.
Kids Definition
genetic engineering
noun
: the alteration of genetic material and especially the cutting up and joining together of DNA from one or more species for introduction into a living thing in order to change one or more of its characteristics
genetically engineered
adjective
genetic engineer
noun
Medical Definition
genetic engineering
noun
: the modification of an organism's genetic material that involves using applied techniques of genetics and biotechnology to alter or delete a DNA segment or to insert a new DNA segment from a different species in order to express (see express sense 3) a desired trait or traits : genetic modification
Since genetic engineering offers the possibility of altering the amino acid sequence of the expressed protein by adding or substituting codons, it is possible to generate alternative sequences with tunable properties that can be used as promising biomaterials for medical applications.—Sílvia Gomes et al., Progress in Polymer Science
genetically engineered
adjective
… vaccination with genetically engineered hypoallergenic allergen derivatives has the potential to reduce the pathological IgE response underlying allergic disease and, hence, may prevent the progression of disease.
—V. Niederberger et al., Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
genetic engineer
noun
Recent experiments have been used to "edit" genomes of various plant, animal and other species, including humans, with unprecedented precision. … These experiments represent advances along a spectrum of technological abilities that genetic engineers have been working on since the advent of recombinant DNA techniques.
—Pamela L. Sankar and Mildred K. Cho, The American Journal of Bioethics
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