genetic modification
Changing inherited traits
Genetic modification is the deliberate alteration of an organism's DNA, typically to introduce traits not found naturally in that species.
Scientists might make crops resistant to pests, bacteria capable of producing insulin, or animals that glow under ultraviolet light.
The term often appears in debates about food safety and ethics: Are genetically modified foods safe to eat?
Abbreviated GM or GMO (genetically modified organism).
Gene-editing molecular machinery
- recombinant DNALab-fused genetic sequences
- gene splicingCombining DNA from organisms
- synthetic biologyEngineering novel living systems
- bioengineeringEngineering applied to biology
plasmids · vector · transfection · knockout · knockin · cloning · bioinformatics · sequencing
Able to deter harmful insects
- drought-tolerantAble to withstand aridity
- biofortificationEnriching crops genetically
- golden riceYellow-tinted grain variety
- yieldProduce or relinquish
cultivar · cross-contamination · monoculture · plant breeding · food security
Protection from biological hazards
- regulationOfficial rules governing conduct
- labelingAssigning identifying markers
- consentVoluntary agreement given
- biodiversityRange of life forms
unintended consequences · playing God · precautionary principle · corporate control · consumer choice · transparency · Monsanto · public perception
CRISPR
Gene-editing molecular machinery
- recombinant DNALab-fused genetic sequences
- gene splicingCombining DNA from organisms
- synthetic biologyEngineering novel living systems
bioengineering · plasmids · vector · transfection · knockout · knockin · cloning · bioinformatics · sequencing · mutagenesis
pest-resistant
Able to deter harmful insects
- drought-tolerantAble to withstand aridity
- biofortificationEnriching crops genetically
- golden riceYellow-tinted grain variety
yield · cultivar · cross-contamination · monoculture · plant breeding · food security
biosafety
Protection from biological hazards
- regulationOfficial rules governing conduct
- labelingAssigning identifying markers
- consentVoluntary agreement given
biodiversity · unintended consequences · playing God · precautionary principle · corporate control · consumer choice · transparency · Monsanto · public perception · moratorium
- bioethicsbioethics, medical ethics, beneficence, non-maleficence, physician-assisted death
- geneticsDNA, allele, genotype, genes, gene
- GMOsgolden rice, GMO soy, GMO seeds, transgene, recombinant DNA
- agronomyagronomy, crop yield, soil science, crop yields, cultivation
- agriculturefarms, crops, farm, farmers, farming
- superpowerstelekinesis, telepathy, superpower, invisibility, force powers
genetic modificationselective breeding
Controlled reproduction for traits
natural selection · crossbreeding · artificial selection · hybridization · animal husbandry
modify, modification, genetic, genesis, genetics, modifier, genome, genetically, genomics