genetic engineering
Deliberate genome alteration
Genetic engineering is the direct manipulation of an organism's DNA to alter its characteristics.
Scientists use it to create disease-resistant crops, produce insulin in bacteria, or develop gene therapies for inherited disorders.
The term often appears in debates about GMOs, designer babies, and the ethics of modifying life: Genetic engineering could eliminate hereditary diseases—or create new inequalities.
Lab-fused genetic sequences
- gene splicingCombining DNA from organisms
- cloningMaking identical copies
- transformationThorough change in form
- mutagenesisInducing stable genetic changes
plasmid · vector · ligation · microinjection · transfection · transduction · Southern blot · PCR
DNA-cutting enzyme
- gene editingTargeted DNA alteration
- knockoutIncapacitating final blow
- knockinHitting to announce
- precisionAccuracy of measurement
PAM · nuclease · off-target · HDR · programmable · multiplexing · delivery
Lab-altered life form
- transgeneTransferred genetic sequence
- chimeraUnrealistic fantasy or hybrid
- heritableCapable of genetic transmission
- insertionPlacing something within
expression · golden rice · herbicide resistance · promoter · biofortification · drought tolerance · pest resistance
Genetically customized offspring
- eugenicsControlled human reproduction theory
- biosafetyProtection from biological hazards
- bioethicsMoral philosophy for medicine
- regulationOfficial rules governing conduct
moratorium · consent · germline · enhancement · playing God · unintended consequences · access · equity
Medical DNA modification treatment
- viral vectorVirus repurposed for therapy
- lentivirusLong-incubation retrovirus type
- in vivoWithin living tissue
- cystic fibrosisGenetic disorder thickening mucus
muscular dystrophy · sickle cell · Huntington's · clinical trials · therapeutic · corrective
Human-controlled trait propagation
- gene poolSpecies' total genetic diversity
- fitnessGood physical shape
- adaptationFitting to new conditions
- mutationPermanent DNA alteration
variation · selective pressure · breeding · phenotype · genotype · allele · heritability
Guaranteed adequate nutrition access
- yieldProduce or relinquish
- drought toleranceCapacity to withstand water scarcity
- pest resistanceImmunity to harmful insects
- golden riceYellow-tinted grain variety
disease resistance · Monsanto · monoculture · cross-pollination · refugia · labeling
recombinant DNA
Lab-fused genetic sequences
- gene splicingCombining DNA from organisms
- cloningMaking identical copies
- transformationThorough change in form
mutagenesis · plasmid · vector · ligation · microinjection · transfection · transduction · Southern blot · PCR · sequencing
Cas9
DNA-cutting enzyme
- gene editingTargeted DNA alteration
- knockoutIncapacitating final blow
- knockinHitting to announce
precision · PAM · nuclease · off-target · HDR · programmable · multiplexing · delivery
GMO
Lab-altered life form
- transgeneTransferred genetic sequence
- chimeraUnrealistic fantasy or hybrid
- heritableCapable of genetic transmission
insertion · expression · golden rice · herbicide resistance · promoter · biofortification · drought tolerance · pest resistance
designer babies
Genetically customized offspring
- eugenicsControlled human reproduction theory
- biosafetyProtection from biological hazards
- bioethicsMoral philosophy for medicine
regulation · moratorium · consent · germline · enhancement · playing God · unintended consequences · access · equity · patents
gene therapy
Medical DNA modification treatment
- viral vectorVirus repurposed for therapy
- lentivirusLong-incubation retrovirus type
- in vivoWithin living tissue
cystic fibrosis · muscular dystrophy · sickle cell · Huntington's · clinical trials · therapeutic · corrective
artificial selection
Human-controlled trait propagation
- gene poolSpecies' total genetic diversity
- fitnessGood physical shape
- adaptationFitting to new conditions
mutation · variation · selective pressure · breeding · phenotype · genotype · allele · heritability
food security
Guaranteed adequate nutrition access
- yieldProduce or relinquish
- drought toleranceCapacity to withstand water scarcity
- pest resistanceImmunity to harmful insects
golden rice · disease resistance · Monsanto · monoculture · cross-pollination · refugia · labeling
- Dystopia1984, Nineteen Eighty-Four, dystopian fiction, totalitarianism, Brave New World
- speculative fictionsci-fi, science fiction, dystopia, fantasy, futurism
- 20th century inventionsTV, radio, television, telephone, airplane
- future techAI, drones, robots, autonomous vehicles, VR
- hereditygenes, DNA, gene, chromosomes, inheritance
- inventionsprinting press, steam engine, lightbulb, light bulb, microscope
genetic engineeringselective breeding
Controlled reproduction for traits
natural selection · crossbreeding · artificial selection · hybridization · animal husbandry
genetic engineeringorganic farming
Cultivation without synthetic chemicals
permaculture · non-intervention · letting nature take its course · agroecology · natural medicine
engineer, genetic, engineering, genetics, engineers, engineered, genome, genetically, genomics