-
- To save this word, you'll need to log in.
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
Examples of genetic engineering in a Sentence
The crops were made resistant to disease by genetic engineering.
Recent Examples on the Web
Colossal has been working to bring the mammoth, the dodo bird and other extinct species back to life using the latest cloning and genetic engineering techniques.
—Rob Stein, NPR, 6 Mar. 2024
When Gore held a hearing on genetic engineering — at a time when scientists were sharply divided on the emerging capabilities — Sharples sat beside the congressman, passing notes and prompting him to probe further.
—Michael Laris, Washington Post, 14 Dec. 2023
Another Nobel winner, Paul Berg, a father of genetic engineering, was 96.
—William McDonald, New York Times, 28 Dec. 2023
Compared to classic genetic engineering, which was a slow and inefficient process, Church says Crispr allows researchers to make many simultaneous edits and thus address multiple incompatibilities between pigs and humans at once.
—Emily Mullin, WIRED, 11 Oct. 2023
Rita, suffering panic attacks, loses touch with husband Juan in the woods, then stumbles across a strange community, guarded by a hostile ranger, whose inhabitants are the result of years of genetic engineering.
—John Hopewell, Variety, 17 Nov. 2023
Isolated and distributed in tiny vials to laboratories around the world, CRISPR would become the primary tool of genetic engineering.
—Dana Goodyear, The New Yorker, 2 Sep. 2023
Now, scientists are using genetic engineering to make pig organs more suitable for people.
—Emily Mullin, WIRED, 11 Oct. 2023
In some of the cells, the researchers used genetic engineering to add genes encoding other ion channels, enabling optogenetic switching with red and blue light.
—Philip Ball, Scientific American, 18 Apr. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'genetic engineering.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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 19 Mar. 2024.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share