What term describes a technology that manipulates genetic material to produce new functions or outcomes not typically seen in nature?

What term describes a technology that manipulates genetic material to produce new functions or outcomes not typically seen in nature?

• A. Genome
• B. Gene therapy
• C. Genetic engineering
• D. Clone

Answer: (C)

Genetic engineering is the process of using technology to modify DNA so organisms or cells gain new traits or abilities that don’t occur naturally. This includes inserting, deleting, or editing genes to change how biological systems work, often enabling functions like producing helpful proteins, enhancing resistance to pests, or enabling novel metabolic pathways. This distinguishes it from the genome, which is simply the complete set of genetic material in an organism. It’s also different from gene therapy, which focuses on treating or preventing diseases by altering genes in humans, a specific medical application rather than a broad technology. Cloning, on the other hand, creates an organism that is a genetic copy of another, not necessarily adding new functions. So the correct term for a technology that manipulates genetic material to produce new functions or outcomes not typically seen in nature is genetic engineering.

Genetic engineering is the process of using technology to modify DNA so organisms or cells gain new traits or abilities that don’t occur naturally. This includes inserting, deleting, or editing genes to change how biological systems work, often enabling functions like producing helpful proteins, enhancing resistance to pests, or enabling novel metabolic pathways. This distinguishes it from the genome, which is simply the complete set of genetic material in an organism. It’s also different from gene therapy, which focuses on treating or preventing diseases by altering genes in humans, a specific medical application rather than a broad technology. Cloning, on the other hand, creates an organism that is a genetic copy of another, not necessarily adding new functions. So the correct term for a technology that manipulates genetic material to produce new functions or outcomes not typically seen in nature is genetic engineering.