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 entry 1 sense 4) or suppress (see suppress sense 6) a targeted trait or traits : genetic modification

Breeders have used a variety of techniques—and are now beginning to use genetic engineering—to produce crops that grow faster, are less expensive to plant and have better defenses against insects, diseases and harsh weather.

—Keith Schneider

Besides developing its own purified form of insulin, it has harnessed the new techniques of genetic engineering to develop a means of producing human insulin in bacteria.

—Science

genetically engineered adjective

genetically engineered soybean crops

genetic engineer noun

plural genetic engineers

In test-tube procedures, genetic engineers had begun using chemical scissors known as restriction enzymes to snip particular chromosomes at designated points.

—Geoffrey Cowley

Examples of genetic engineering in a Sentence

The crops were made resistant to disease by genetic engineering.

Recent Examples on the Web

The recent claim that a U.S. biotechnology company resurrected the long-extinct dire wolf through genetic engineering seemed to shock the science world. —Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 11 Apr. 2025

Considered the first genetic engineering company, Genentech, one of the creators of recombinant DNA technology, has since gone on to become a household name for isolating the genes for human insulin, growth hormone and more. —Theresa Neil, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2025

While Colossal’s work on bringing back animals like the mammoth or the thylacine undeniably pushes the boundaries of genetic engineering, the woolly mouse is a reminder that de-extinction is still in its experimental phase—and that the biggest hurdles remain ahead. —Scott Travers, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025

The goal of Colossal's biotech and genetic engineering teams is to recreate a mammoth capable of surviving in the Arctic and helping restore the region's ecosystem. —Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 4 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1934, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for genetic engineering

• adhering
• appearing
• careering
• cohering
• endearing
• inhering
• prehearing
• rehearing
• veneering
• bioengineering
• cheering
• clearing

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

-ˌen-jə-ˈnir-iŋ 

: 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) or suppress (see suppress sense 3) a targeted 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