Skip to main content
genetic engineering

genetic engineering

27 4.1
Changing the genes of plants or animals to give them new traits
  • noun
  • /dʒəˈnɛtɪk ˌɛnʤɪˈnɪrɪŋ/
  • Specialized
translation icon : ingeniería genética
  • To what extent should genetic engineering be used for human enhancement?
  • application of genetic engineering
  • genetic engineering experiments
  • products of genetic engineering

Right now, to some degree, genetic engineering is used to manipulate viruses.

Autoplay Next

Examples

  • There is widespread support in some countries for banning genetic engineering, or at least imposing severe restrictions on it.

    Academic text (2012)
  • Scientists attempt to view the issues surrounding genetic engineering more objectively.

    Academic text (2012)
  • And this is where genetic engineering comes in.

  • We're talking about genetic engineering.

  • In addition to potential benefits, genetic engineering may also produce serious problems.

    Academic text (1992)
  • And a company came up with some genetic engineering, you know, to help this, this child survive.

  • Like other technologies, genetic engineering can be useful or harmful depending on how it is used.

    Academic text (1994)
  • The subject of genetic engineering often sparks an emotional reaction in many people.

    Academic text (2012)
  • Partial solutions to the world's energy needs are being addressed by genetic engineering as well.

    Academic text (2012)
  • The debate over genetic engineering focuses on its impact on health and the environment.

Synonyms

gene-splicing
vsgenetic engineering
  • Specialized
3 6.0

Cutting and joining DNA from different living things to make new DNA

is a deliberate change of traits that includes combining DNA among other techniques
editing
vsgenetic engineering
  • Specialized
2 4.7

The act of making exact changes to an animal's or plant's genes to change traits

focuses on altering traits by various means, sometimes by combining external DNA
recombinant DNA technology
vsgenetic engineering
  • Specialized
1 6.6

Methods used in a lab to join DNA from different living things to make new gene combinations

is broader deliberate modification, not only lab joining but many genetic changes

How Advanced

bionics
  • Specialized
1 7.9
genetic engineering
  • Specialized
27 4.1
mutagenesis
  • Specialized
1 9.9
outbreeding
  • Specialized
1 6.8

Surface Forms

Morphology

genetic + engineering

The compound directly combines 'genetic' (relating to genes) with 'engineering' (the application of scientific/technical methods), so a B1 learner who knows both words can infer it means applying engineering approaches to genetics — i.e. manipulating genes to change organisms. Although the specific technical procedures may be unfamiliar, the overall meaning is transparently composed and mirrored in many other languages.

Etymology

Genetic engineering comes from the idea of an engineer fixing small parts: genetic means the genes, the tiny instructions inside living things, and engineering means carefully changing or building something. So, it means 'deliberately changing a living thing's genes to give it new traits'.