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

Example Sentences

The crops were made resistant to disease by genetic engineering.
Recent Examples on the Web This process of genetic engineering, which introduces specific genes to create cells that mimic embryonic stem cells, was pioneered by Nobel Prize-winning scientist Shinya Yamanaka. Katie Hunt, CNN, 24 Mar. 2023 The Mandalorian goes out of its way to talk in depth about the knowledge Pershing possesses and wants to keep pursuing, cloning and genetic engineering. Paul Tassi, Forbes, 16 Mar. 2023 Today, the industry is an international behemoth, employing thousands in research on genetic engineering. John Johnson Jr., Los Angeles Times, 22 Feb. 2023 Most de-extinction programs aim to re-create a proxy of an extinct animal by genetic engineering, editing the genome of a closely related living species to replicate the target species’ genome. Christine Kenneally, Scientific American, 31 Jan. 2023 The standard prohibits genetic engineering, ionizing radiation, or sewage sludge. Starre Vartan, Treehugger, 24 Jan. 2023 Organic foods are produced without use of toxic pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, antibiotics, hormones or genetic engineering techniques, while producers must adhere to federal guidelines on soil quality and animal-raising practices. Anne Marie Lee, CBS News, 1 Mar. 2023 Paul Berg, a Nobel Prize-winning biochemist who ushered in the era of genetic engineering in 1971 by successfully combining DNA from two different organisms, died on Wednesday at his home on the Stanford University campus in California. Don R. Hecker, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2023 Now, the Dallas genetic engineering startup has set its sights on resurrecting the extinct dodo bird more than 350 years after the flightless species was wiped out from its native island of Mauritius, off the coast of Madagascar. Ariana Garcia, Chron, 1 Feb. 2023 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'genetic engineering.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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 30 Mar. 2023.

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 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

More from Merriam-Webster on genetic engineering

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