genetic engineering

IPA/dʒəˌnetɪk endʒɪˈnɪərɪŋ/
IPA/dʒəˌnetɪk endʒɪˈnɪrɪŋ/

genetic engineering — noun

1. the scientific process of changing the DNA of a living organism — such as a crop

1.nounB2
Definition

the scientific process of changing the DNA of a living organism — such as a crop plant, a farm animal, or a microbe — in order to give it new qualities like resistance to disease, faster growth, or the ability to produce useful substances

Example

Scientists in Nairobi used genetic engineering to develop cassava plants that resist common viruses.

collocation: use genetic engineering to develop

Rafael wrote a report on the risks and benefits of genetic engineering in food.

Common collocations
  • use genetic engineering
  • the risks of genetic engineering
  • genetic engineering in food
  • genetic engineering research
  • oppose genetic engineering
Synonyms
  • genetic modification

    the most common near-synonym, especially in discussions of food and agriculture; slightly broader in scope

  • gene technology

    a broader term that also includes methods like gene editing; more formal in tone

  • GM

    an abbreviation used mainly in the context of crops and food labelling; very common in journalism

Usage Note

The term is used as an uncountable noun and is most often found in scientific, political, and public debate contexts. Distinguish from sense 2, which focuses on the specific laboratory techniques rather than the broader field or application.

Common Mistakes

Genetic engineering create new types of animals.
Genetic engineering creates new types of animals.
The noun is uncountable and takes a singular verb.
They did a genetic engineering on the wheat.
They used genetic engineering on the wheat.
'Genetic engineering' is not a countable activity; use 'use' or 'apply'.

2. a set of laboratory methods in which an organism's DNA is cut at specific points

2.nounC1
Definition

a set of laboratory methods in which an organism's DNA is cut at specific points and recombined with genetic material from another source, allowing scientists to add, remove, or change particular genes in order to produce or block specific characteristics

Example

Kian learned that genetic engineering can insert a human gene into bacteria to make insulin.

pattern: genetic engineering can insert [gene] into [organism] to produce [substance]

The new regulations restrict genetic engineering techniques that remove genes linked to inherited eye disorders.

Common collocations
  • genetic engineering techniques
  • through genetic engineering
  • genetic engineering of [organism]
  • genetic engineering to insert/delete/silence
Synonyms
  • genetic modification

    the broader umbrella term; 'genetic engineering' in this sense is a subset that specifically involves recombinant DNA techniques

  • recombinant DNA technology

    the precise technical term for the methods described here; very formal and scientific

  • gene splicing

    an older, more colloquial term that refers to the cutting-and-joining part of the process

Usage Note

Frequently passive or used with 'used to' (be used to insert / be used to create). This sense is more technical than sense 1 and appears mainly in scientific journals, patents, and advanced textbooks.

Word family

  • genetically engineer
    verbC1
  • genetically engineered
    adjectiveB2
  • genetic engineer
    nounC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

While all four terms involve the use of living systems to achieve practical outcomes, they differ in scope and method. 'Genetic engineering' specifically refers to directly manipulating an organism's DNA using laboratory techniques, most commonly through recombinant DNA technology. 'Genetic modification' is a broader term that covers any human-induced change to an organism's genetic material, including older methods like selective breeding that do not involve direct DNA manipulation. 'Gene editing' (e.g. CRISPR) is a more precise subcategory of genetic engineering that targets specific DNA sequences without inserting foreign genes. 'Biotechnology' is the widest of the four, encompassing all technology that uses biological processes for industrial or medical purposes — it includes genetic engineering but also covers fermentation, cell culture, and enzyme technology. 'GM' is a short label used mainly for crops and food products. In practice, journalists often use 'genetic modification' and 'genetic engineering' interchangeably, though scientists maintain the distinction. For example, a tomato given a fish gene to resist cold is an example of genetic engineering; a tomato bred over many generations for thicker skin is an example of the broader category of genetic modification, but not of genetic engineering.

genetic modification ↗gene editingbiotechnology ↗GM

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • genetic engineering techniques
  • genetic engineering technology
  • advances in genetic engineering
  • the field of genetic engineering
  • opposition to genetic engineering

Prepositions

Etymology

GreekLatinFrenchEnglish

The word 'genetic' comes from the Greek 'genetikos' (meaning 'origin' or 'birth'), which in turn comes from 'genesis' (origin). 'Engineering' comes from Latin 'ingenium' (natural ability, cleverness) via Old French 'engigneor' (builder of military machines). The combined term 'genetic engineering' first appeared in scientific literature around 1951, as researchers began to understand the structure of DNA and imagine ways to deliberately alter it. The term became widely used in the 1970s after the development of recombinant DNA technology made actual gene manipulation possible.

First known use

1951

1951, in the meaning defined above